Block III & VI Chardonnay 2019

Located in the far south of Patagonia, the Otronia vineyard stretches around Lake Musters in the Chubut province, in the heart of a semi-desert landscape swept by cold winds. Planted at this very high latitude, the Chardonnay vines in blocks III and VI benefit from sunny days, very cool nights, and a distinctly continental climate, which prolong ripening and preserve a naturally high acidity. The soils, composed of gravel, sand, and glacial deposits, give the wine a taut, precise, and profoundly mineral expression.

The grapes are hand-harvested in small crates to preserve their integrity, then gently pressed. The must is then fermented at low temperatures, primarily in oak barrels, with a proportion of new oak, to enhance aromatic complexity and texture. Aging continues on fine lees for several months, with periodic stirring, before bottling, to impart volume, freshness, and great precision to the wine's profile.

This wine reveals notes of ripe citrus , stone fruit , and green apple , complemented by delicate floral touches, spicy nuances, and a subtle oakiness with hints of vanilla and toasted hazelnut , underpinned by a pronounced mineral structure. The palate is ample and precise, driven by vibrant acidity, a subtly structured creamy texture, and a long, saline, and refreshing finish that underscores the southern origin of the terroir.

Although Argentina is often considered part of the "New World," its winemaking tradition is much older than one might think, dating back to the Spanish colonization of the 16th century and later to Italian settlers. Unlike Chile, wine has long been an integral part of the country's culture. No other wine-producing country in the world made more progress in the latter years of the 20th century (in viticulture, oenology, and, of course, finance), which allowed the country's winemakers to raise quality levels and successfully establish an international export market. Argentina is now the fifth largest wine-producing country in the world, after France, Italy, Spain, and the United States. Viticulture is practiced primarily in the foothills of the Andes, particularly in Mendoza, where the desert landscapes and high altitudes combine to create aromatic and intensely flavorful wines. Some vineyards are even planted at altitudes of up to 3,000 meters! The terroir here is well-suited to the grape variety adopted by Argentina: the ubiquitous Malbec. Originally from Bordeaux, it is now the source of some of Argentina's most famous wines, characterized by their brilliance and intensity, with floral notes and dark 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 yields a wine with a floral and tropical taste. The country also produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio. Today, Argentine wines are recognized worldwide for their full-bodied reds and as being of high quality.