Matias Riccitelli Riccitelli & Father Malbec

BA0171

ProducerNote

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.

Vineyard

The Malbec comes from extremely old, low-yielding vines that were planted in 1927

and produce intensely concentrated fruit. The vineyard is located in Las

Compuertas, Luján de Cuyo, where the soils are made up of loamy clay over

alluvial. The Cabernet Franc grapes are grown in the mountainous vineyard of Los

Chacayes, in the Uco Valley, on boulder soils. The blend of these two regions and

varieties produces a beautifully balanced wine; the intensely concentrated Malbec

with the mountainous Cabernet Franc which lends freshness from the cooler

altitudes. The grapes are hand-harvested at optimum maturity into small 20kg cases

to preserve the quality of the fruit. The vineyards are in conversion to organic status,

no herbicides are used and the vineyards are cultivated using ecologically friendly

methods to respect the environment and the biodiversity of the vineyard.

Winemaking

This blend was made by Matias Riccitelli and his father Jorge, to showcase

concentrated Malbec from ancient vineyards with the intensity that develops from

Cabernet Franc grown in mountain soils. The grapes were meticulously selected by

hand prior to vinification. 20% was vinified as whole cluster, to impart structure and

complexity, the remaining 80% was destemmed. The grapes were fed by gravity into

small French oak vats, where fermentation took place with indigenous yeasts at

temperatures of between 26° and 28°C. Vinification took place without any additions

and the cap was very gently submerged by hand in order to achieve a slow

extraction of flavours, aromas, colour and tannins. The ageing continued in 2,000

litre oak foudres for 16 months, before being bottled without fining or filtration.

TastingNote

A fine and stylish wine of great aromatic intensity, with a core of black fruits

surrounded by liquorice, spice and floral notes. Remarkably balanced and

deliciously smooth with firm, yet elegant tannins, this has wonderful personality and

an endless finish.

Wine information

Country - Argentina

Region - Mendoza

Grape Varieties - Malbec 70%, Cabernet Franc 30%

Alcohol by volume - 14.5%

Bottle - 75cl

Producer - Matias Riccitelli

Tasting notes - A fine and stylish wine of great aromatic intensity, with a core of black fruits surrounded by liquorice, spice and floral notes. Remarkably balanced and deliciously smooth with firm, yet elegant tannins, this has wonderful personality and an endless finish.