Chacabuco Unoaked Malbec, Los Haroldos 2024

Fresh plums, violets, blueberry, crushed-stone and mineral aromas on the nose lead to a fresh and brightly fruited, full-bodied palate with firm, silky tannins.

Yellow with a greenish sheen. The aromas on the nose offer a complex but subtle perfume of orange blossom, nutmeg and dried orange peel. Dry and refreshing in the mouth, with a pleasing texture – a fine, fresh line of mineral acidity here reinvigorates the palate and invites a second sip.

This is high altitude Chardonnay grown in the Tunuyan vineyards in Mendoza’s Uco Valley – 50% isfermented and aged in French oak barriques which lends a hefty creaminess to the citrus and stoneyminerality. It’s flipping good Chardonnay frankly

A pioneer in the Uco Valley, Bodega Piedra Negra was established in 1996; François Lurton was the first person to plant vines in the foothills of the Andes Cordillera, at an altitude of 1100 m.a.sl., in semi-desert conditions in the middle of what would become the Geographical Indication of Los Chacayes (the poor, gravelly, alluvial soil is reminiscent of Pessac-Léognan in Bordeaux!). Drawing on expertise acquired all over the world, he immediately introduced environmentally friendly growing methods, and his 99 hectares of vines are managed organically and in adherence to biodynamic principles. In addition to Argentine selections of Malbec, the estate also grows French selections of the grape (known as Cot)

The malbec was fully fermented in 225-litre French oak barrels with a revolving system & post-fermentation maceration for one month in the barrel before Malolactic fermentation with weekly bâtonnage. The Cot was fermented in concrete tank before transfer to French first use oak barrels for the Malolactic fermentation and ageing. Aged 24 months in new French oak.

Deep red-garnet colour. Intense red fruit notes, balanced with complex coffee notes from the aging in oak. Complex & full bodied with ripe tannins highlighting the red and black fruits with floral notes showing great length, with mocha nuances on the finish.