Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
The Piattelli Vineyards lie in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, where the century old vines are irrigated by the pure waters melting from the snow crested peaks; significant in making their wines exquisite. At Piattelli Vineyards great pride is taken in crafting wines with a sense of place, as each region has distinct terroirs and microclimates. Led by head winemaker Valeria Antolin, the wines are produced through her passionate pursuit of perfection. Their gravity fed winery in Cafayate honours their commitment to sustainable practices. Piattelli Vineyards practises sustainable farming and since 2022 they have held the Bodegas de Argentina Certified Sustainable certification. Their Mendoza vineyards are USDA certified organic. The grapes are cultivated with arid clean air, crystal clear water and nutrient rich soil and their award-winning wines are produced with wisdom, precision and care.

THE VINTAGE:
A dry and cool spring was followed by a rainy February. Cooler days with cloud cover prolonged the ripening period throughout summer, however the temperatures rose in March which enabled the fruit to reach good maturity. 2021 produced fresh wines with good fruit expression balanced by tangy acidity.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
The vines are grown at high altitude in Cafayate, situated at 1,800 metres above sea level surrounded by the Andes Mountains. Cafayate is one of the highest regions in the world suitable for viticulture and this high altitude is what defines the terroir of the region. The vines are exposed to intense sunlight which results in the grapes forming thicker and darker skins to protect themselves from the ultraviolet rays leading to more colour and flavour concentration in the grapes. The diurnal temperature difference results in an extended ripening season, producing concentrated grapes bursting with flavour but with a balanced structure. As a consequence of the dry weather, there are few incidences of disease or insects. The vines are trained on a trellis system and Vertical Shoot Position (VSP) training with bilateral cordons with spurs to ensure an even distribution of fruit and yield 70hl/ha. The vines are planted in sandy and stony soils and are sustainably cultivated; the vineyards are only treated with copper and sulphur and weed control is undertaken by sheep. The grapes are hand-harvested.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
The grapes were carefully selected. Fermentation took place with selected yeasts in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures of 25 °C, lasting 10 days. The press wine and free run wine were separated and underwent malolactic conversion resulting in a softer palate. Maturation took place in 225-litre French and American oak barrels of second and third use, lasting eight months.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
The smooth cool-climate Classic Malbec delights the senses with an aromatic bouquet of ripe plum, blueberry, blackberry and violet. With great structure on the palate, the vibrant fruit flavours are beautifully balanced through to a fresh and charming finish.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Malbec 100%.