Matias Riccitelli – Cabernet Franc ‘Vineyard Selection’ – 2021

PRODUCER NOTE:
Matias Riccitelli is the son of renowned winemaker Jorge Riccitelli. Having worked at some of the most prestigious wineries in Argentina and several vintages around the world, Matias used his experience, knowledge and passion and set up his own winery in 2009. His vineyards cover 50 hectares located in three selected sites within the premium growing region of Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza. This is a young and dynamic project in which Matias is seeking to express the full potential of Argentine terroir.

VINTAGE:
2021 saw an absence of high temperatures, so the grapes ripened slowly and gradually. The dry summer weather and cooler temperatures resulted in grapes of excellent health and good quality at harvest time. The volume harvested was below average of the past decade, but the resulting wines are of excellent quality. The whites are very pure, aromatic, fresh, precise and vibrant.

VINEYARD:
This is a blend of three different terroirs each imparting their own characteristics on the resulting wine. 50% of the grapes come from Agrelo in Luján de Cuyo 15 year old vines. Situated at 1,000 metres the diurnal temperature variation is the star feature of the Agrelo terroir, extending the ripening period which balances the crisp acidity and produces complex flavours in the grapes. 25% from Altamira in the Valle de Uco where the vines are eight years old and 25% from Vistaflores in the Valle de Uco where the vines are eight years old. The vineyard is carefully managed throughout the year, with deleafing and green harvesting being performed in January. Harvesting takes place during the latter part of April and is manually picked into small trays of 20 kilograms.

WINEMAKING:
Following a meticulous double sorting, the clusters were destemmed and vinified in small concrete vats. Fermentation took place naturally, without any additions at controlled temperatures of 20°C. Pump overs took place to ensure the desired level of extraction and 28 days of skin contact maceration imparted wonderful structure to the wine. 100% of the wine was aged in French oak barrels of first, second and third use.

TASTING NOTE:
Dark red in colour with violet tones, this is a complex and elegant wine, delivering pure aromas of wild blackberries, black cherries, chocolate and vanilla. Perfectly balanced, with a gorgeous rounded texture and an elegant finish.

GRAPE:
Cabernet Franc 100%.

COUNTRY:
Argentina

REGION:
Mendoza

SUB-REGION:
Lujan de Cuyo