Chacra la Papay Pinot Noir 2024

In the province of Neuquén, in the heart of Argentine Patagonia, the Chacra La Papay Pinot Noir cuvée reflects the singularity of an extreme terroir. Set at 300 metres above sea level, the vines, planted in 2006, enjoy clay and sandy soils combined with a semi-arid continental climate marked by constant cold winds and a wide diurnal temperature range. These natural conditions favour slow ripening of the grapes, ensuring freshness, aromatic intensity and finesse, characteristics that make Patagonia one of the most promising regions for Pinot Noir in Argentina.

The harvest is done by hand, then some whole grapes are added to the fermentation to enhance aromatic complexity. Alcoholic fermentation lasts around 15 days in stainless-steel tanks, with selected yeasts, including 50% whole bunches to intensify the fruity aromas. A few gentle pump-overs aerate the must and even out the fermentation. Once malolactic fermentation is complete, the wine undergoes 6 months of ageing in tank (80% in stainless-steel tanks and 20% in used 225-litre oak barrels), favouring purity and fruit expression, before being clarified and bottled.

This wine reveals notes of raspberry, redcurrant, cherry, lavender, smoke, undergrowth, light spices and violet. On the palate, the texture is fluid, carried by lovely acidity and discreet tannins that give structure without heaviness. Its focus on lightness and freshness makes it an elegant, finely chiselled wine, representative of Patagonia.

Although Argentina is considered the "New World," its winemaking tradition is much older than one might think, dating back to the time of Spanish colonization in the 16th century and later to Italian settlers. Unlike Chile, wine has long been a part of the country's culture. No wine-producing country in the world made more progress in the final years of the 20th century (in terms of viticulture and oenology, and necessarily financially), which allowed the country's wine producers to raise quality levels and successfully consolidate an international export market. Argentina has now become the fifth largest wine-producing country in the world, after France, Italy, Spain, and the United States. Viticulture is practiced mainly in the foothills of the Andes, and more specifically in Mendoza, where desert landscapes and high altitudes combine to give rise to aromatic and intensely perfumed wines. Some vineyards can even be planted up to 3,000 meters above sea level! The terroir here is well-suited to Argentina's adopted grape variety: the ubiquitous Malbec. Originally from Bordeaux, it is now responsible for some of Argentina's most famous wines, characterized by their brightness and intensity, with floral notes and black fruit flavors. Other red varieties produced in Argentina include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bonarda, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Pinot Noir. Among white wines, the emblematic grape of the Argentine wine region is Torrontés, which produces a wine with a floral and tropical flavor. The country also produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio. Today, Argentine wines are recognized worldwide for their full-bodied reds and as high-quality wines.