Matias Riccitelli Malbec Gualtallary 2024

Located in the northern Uco Valley of Mendoza, Gualtallary is a notable, high-altitude subappellation known for its extreme terroir. Its defining feature is the extreme elevation at which the grapes are grown. For this wine, they are planted at 1,400 metres above sea level. This elevation places vines closer to the sun where they receive intense UV exposure, leading to thicker-skinned grapes and deeper coloured wines. The proximity to the Andes mountains creates a dramatic temperature drop at night, this thermal amplitude helps to preserve natural acidity and freshness in the grapes. The Malbec vines are planted in calcareous soils, interspersed with gravel and fine sand, which restrict the vine’s vigour, leading to lower quantities of highly concentrated, mineral-driven fruit. The Riccitelli vineyards follow an agroecological approach to vineyard management and are cultivated without the use of herbicides or systemic products. The bunches are hand harvested at optimal maturity.

The grapes were gently vinified by gravity, with 100% destemmed bunches. Fermentation took place with natural yeast in small concrete vats without any additions, at temperatures ranging from 24 to 26°C. During fermentation, the cap was gently submerged to achieve a slow extraction. The wine was matured for 12 months in oak barrels, imbuing the wine with further complexity.