Alto de Los Cuises Chardonnay 2022

Coming from the Cafayate Valley in Salta, Argentina, this 100% Chardonnay cuvée is born on the steep slopes of the Sierra de Quilmes at approximately 1,850 meters above sea level . The vineyard is planted in terraces between the rocks, in an environment where fig trees, palm trees and wild plants coexist. The microclimate is extreme: intense sunshine, cool nights, and winds that temper the days. These conditions of altitude and very stony soils shape Chardonnay grapes of great purity where acidity and minerality combine.

The harvest is carried out manually, with a rigorous selection of grapes at optimal maturity. Fermentation takes place in French oak barrels (500 liters). Once the vinification process is complete, the wine is aged on lees for 6 to 7 months. During this phase, stirring is carried out every 3 weeks to obtain more roundness. Finally, the wine is clarified and stabilized before being bottled. Fewer than 2,000 bottles are produced annually.

This wine reveals notes of juicy pear , white peach , citrus zest, ripe apple, fresh butter, flint and chamomile. On the palate, it surprises with its texture and vibrant acidity that balances the aromatic richness. The finish is persistent, elegant and leaves a beautiful mineral imprint.

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 by Italian settlers. Unlike Chile, wine has long been part of the country's culture. No wine-producing country in the world made more progress in the last years of the 20th century (on a viticultural and oenological level, and necessarily financially), which allowed the country's wine producers to raise quality levels and 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 primarily in the foothills of the Andes, particularly in Mendoza, where desert landscapes and high altitudes combine to produce aromatic and intensely flavored wines. Some vineyards can even be planted at altitudes of up to 3,000 meters! 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.