Bodegas Salentein Chardonnay Single Vineyard Las Secuoyas 2021

The grapes come from Las Secuoyas vineyard, situated at 1,600 metres in the San Pablo GI. The Chardonnay R8 clone was planted in 2002 at a density of 10,000 vines per hectare, each meticulously trellis trained in a vertical position and irrigated with pure meltwater. The vineyard benefits from a cool climate, relatively high humidity, and a structured sandy soil containing calcium carbonate stones and gypsum from around 40cm below the surface. These factors contribute to the exceptional quality of the Chardonnay. The vineyard is sustainably cultivated. Two imposing Sequoia trees – the only ones in Mendoza, originally from California and transplanted over 70 years ago – stand sentinel, adding to the vineyard's unique character.

The grapes were hand-picked in the cool of the early morning and vinified using oxidative methods. Whole clusters were gently pressed, and the must was transferred to stainless steel tanks where it was held static at 5º to 8°C, allowing any remaining sediment to settle. The clarified must was racked into French oak barrels to commence spontaneous fermentation, using natural yeasts. Fermentation lasted around 28 days at temperatures of 18 to 19°C, and was aged on the lees with bâtonnage until malolactic conversion was complete. The wine was then blended and barrel-aged for 10 months.