Matias Riccitelli Cabernet Franc 2022

Gualtallary is a high-altitude wine region situated within Tupungato in the northern reaches of Argentina's Uco Valley. In this temperate, arid, and windy climate, mountain viticulture is practised. The soils, rich in calcium carbonate, volcanic ash, caliche, and gravel, are strongly influenced by the altitude, making this area one of the most important Geographical Indications for wine production in Argentina. The estate comprises 35 distinct plots, located on the slopes of Gualtallary, in the area known as Gualtallary Monasterio, at elevations ranging from 1,350 to 1,400 metres above sea level. The Cabernet Franc vines are grown in calcareous soils with gravel and fine sand. Herbicides or systemic products are not used, instead the vineyard is managed through agroecological practices. In this rugged landscape, the plots take advantage of diverse exposures, slopes, and soils of remarkable variability, allowing the grape varieties to convey a distinctive mineral character, unique to this exceptional terroir. The clusters were hand-harvested in small 20kg cases to retain the integrity of each cluster.

The clusters were destemmed, and the grapes were naturally transferred by gravity into small concrete vessels, where fermentation took place with native yeasts at temperatures between 25°C and 27°C. A very gentle cap management technique was employed to ensure a slow extraction. Ageing continued in used French oak barrels for 12 months.