La Savante Pinot Noir 2022

Located in Argentina, Domaine Nico cultivates its Pinot Noir vines at the foot of the Andes Mountains, in the high-altitude areas of Mendoza, where significant temperature variations promote slow and precise ripening. The predominantly alluvial and stony soils ensure good drainage and naturally limit the vine's vigor, allowing for a refined and elegant expression of the grape variety. The Andean influence, with its cool, dry air, helps preserve the grapes' natural acidity, resulting in wines that are both intense and balanced.

The Pinot Noir grapes for La Savante are hand-harvested and then meticulously sorted before fermentation in vats with indigenous yeasts, aiming to preserve the purest expression of the Gualtallary terroir. Maceration is conducted gently to encourage the delicate extraction of aromas and fine tannins. After fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak barrels for several months, with judicious use of wood to retain the freshness, tension, and elegance characteristic of this high-altitude cuvée.

This wine reveals notes of crisp red fruits , cherry , and raspberry , complemented by floral touches reminiscent of violet and peony, as well as subtle spicy nuances and hints of soft oak from aging. On the palate, the wine is juicy and elegant, supported by fresh acidity and fine tannins that structure the whole, with a harmonious and persistent finish marked by a return of fruit and a light mineral touch.

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.