Nico's Domain Grand Père Pinot Noir 2022

The Grand Père Pinot Noir cuvée originates from the Uco Valley, more precisely from Villa Bastías in the Tupungato sub-region of Mendoza. The Pinot Noir vines were planted there in 1993 on a terroir of silty soils with alluvial gravel and limestone, at an altitude of approximately 1,120 meters, benefiting from intense sunshine and cool nights. This climatic combination at altitude promotes slow and balanced ripening, allowing the grape variety to retain its characteristic aromatic freshness and lively natural acidity, while expressing the distinctive minerality of the terroir.

The winemaking for this cuvée is carried out with a traditional and delicate approach, respecting the inherent finesse of Pinot Noir . The grapes are harvested by hand, and approximately 20% whole bunches are then used for fermentation, which is conducted with indigenous yeasts to preserve aromatic purity. Fermentation takes place at a controlled maximum temperature of 25°C, with manual punch-downs and a gentle maceration of 7 to 14 days, alternating between stainless steel tanks and 600L oak casks. After malolactic fermentation in barrels, the wine is aged for approximately 15 months in French oak barrels , some of which are new, before bottling. This aging process imparts structure and complexity while maintaining an ethereal profile.

This wine reveals notes of cranberries , raspberry and cherry , peony, rose , black pepper , smoky wood and tobacco. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet delicate, supported by acidity, fine and silky tannins, and a long, beautifully fresh finish that highlights the elegance of Pinot Noir.

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.