Zorzal – Pinot Noir ‘Eggo Filoso’ – 2018

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
Zorzal is an Argentinian boutique winery which has been dedicated to the production of high quality wines since 2008 and is located at the highest point of the Uco Valley. Hailed as one of the most exclusive and well-regarded areas for viticulture in Argentina, the terroir is revealed in the Zorzal wines through a respectful, non invasive winemaking process that puts austerity before exuberance and fruit before wood. The wines have rapidly gained international recognition. Founded by the Michelini brothers, who are outstanding in their passionate leadership in the vineyards and winery, this highly regarded winemaking duo have become renowned as the trendsetters of the Argentinian winemaking scene.

THE VINTAGE:
2018 was hotter than 2017. For the second year in a row, the 2017 vintage produced very low yields, after the vines were hit by frost and then strong winds during flowering. In some cases production was reduced by 50%. However, the remaining fruit produced excellent flavour concentration. It was a vintage of balance, with beautiful harmony between the acidity and sugar levels and powerful aromatics.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
The grapes are grown in a specifically limey patch of a plot in a drip irrigated single vineyard in Tupungato, Gualtallary. It is located in one of Argentina’s most outstanding vine growing valleys: the Uco Valley. Gualtallary is situated at 1,350 metres above sealevel in the highest vine growing zone at the foot of Tupungato volcano, one of the highest peaks in the Andes. This zone is characterised by its combination of altitude, alluvial soils, sunny days, low rainfall and wide temperature ranges. The diurnal temperatures here oscillate between 35°C and 17°C, creating long, slow ripening periods, concentrating the flavours in the fruit with balancing acidity.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
The fruit was grown in a single vineyard. Carefully selected, whole grapes with their stalks were placed in the cement egg, without crushing, in order to create wholebunch fermentation with natural yeast. Vinified using minimal intervention, once fermentation was complete, the grapes were gently pressed and the extracted press wine was combined with the free-run wine. It was then matured for nine months in the 3,000 litre concrete egg. Bottling took place directly from the egg.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
An intense Pinot Noir, in which the calcareous terroir is perfectly distinct with aromas of gunpowder, graphite and chalk. On the palate it has an incredible texture, juicy red fruits and acidity, from which it gained its name of Filoso (sharp) in Spanish.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Pinot Noir 100%.