Riccitelli Old Vines From Patagonia Merlot 2022

This Merlot was sourced from forgotten vines that are over 50 years old. This rediscovered vineyard is situated along the Rio Negro's riverside, in Allen, Rio Negro, Patagonia. Situated on the 39° latitude south, the sunlight exposure can be intense, but the nights are cool. These diurnal temperature swings, encourage a longer ripening period and flavour concentration in the berries. The ungrafted vines are grown in sandy, clay loam soils and are cultivated traditionally with a Vertical Shoot Positioning training system and are irrigated via flooding.

The grapes were harvested at optimal levels of maturity. Carefully sorted, the berries were transferred into small concrete vats with indigenous yeasts. A cold maceration lasted for five days, followed by the fermentation at controlled temperatures of between 26° to 28°C. A long post-fermentation maceration lasted for 20 days. 50% of the wine was aged in first, second and third use barrels, while the remaining 50% was aged in French oak vats of 1,000 litres.