Description

PRODUCER:
Matias Riccitelli is the son of renowned winemaker Jorge Riccitelli. Having worked at some of the most prestigious wineries in Argentina and across several vintages worldwide, Matias used his experience, knowledge, and passion to set up his own winery in 2009. His vineyards cover 50 hectares, located across three selected sites in the premium growing region of Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza. This is a young and dynamic project in which Matias is seeking to express the full potential of Argentine terroir. Recently, Riccitelli featured in the Top 100 of The World’s Best Vineyard Awards 2025.

VINEYARD:
The Bastardo grapes come from the traditional vine growing sites of Allen and Ing Heuergo in the province of Rio Negro, Patagonia, approximately halfway between the Andes Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. Situated on the 39° latitude south, the sunlight exposure is more intense than in northern areas, but at this latitude, the nights are much colder. This daily diurnal temperature range is excellent for the production of quality grapes; the nightly cooling-off extends the ripening period, allowing the grapes to develop rich varietal characteristics while retaining balanced acidity. The low-yielding vines were planted at the beginning of the 1970s, and they are ungrafted, allowing for complete interaction between the silty soils and the vine. The vines are cultivated naturally, following organic principles, resulting in wines that are expressive of the terroir and their varietal characteristics. The grapes are hand-harvested once they have reached optimal maturity. The long-forgotten variety of Bastardo is a dark-skinned variety that originated in the Jura, France and is a synonym for Trousseau.

WINEMAKING:
The grapes were carefully sorted and selected. The fruit, of which 30% was kept as whole bunches, was fermented in small French oak vats with indigenous yeasts at temperatures of 26 to 28°C. The wine was aged for a further eight months in French oak before being bottled without being fined or filtered.

TASTING NOTE:
Made from 100% Bastardo, this elegant wine offers aromatic complexity with wild red-berried fruits and mineral notes complemented by spicy, floral hues. Refreshing and silky, this is light but with good structure and a long finish.

GRAPES:
Bastardo 100%.