Chacra la Papay Malbec 2023

In the province of Neuquén, in the heart of Argentine Patagonia , the Chacra La Papay Malbec cuvée reflects the uniqueness of an extreme terroir. Located at an altitude of 300 meters, the vines planted in 2005 benefit from clay and sandy soils, combined with a semi-arid continental climate marked by constant cold winds and a high temperature range. These natural conditions favor the slow ripening of the grapes, guaranteeing freshness, aromatic intensity, and finesse, characteristics that make Patagonia one of the most promising regions for Malbec in Argentina.

The harvest is carried out by hand , then the whole grapes are partially incorporated into the fermentation to accentuate the aromatic complexity. Alcoholic fermentation lasts approximately 15 days in stainless steel vats, using selected yeasts, with a proportion of 50% whole bunches to intensify the fruity aromas. A few gentle pumpings aerate the must and homogenize the fermentation. Once malolactic fermentation is complete, the wine continues its aging for 6 months in vats (80% in stainless steel vats and 20% in used 225-liter oak barrels) , favoring purity and expression of the fruit, before being clarified and bottled.

This wine reveals notes of plum , wild berries , cedar , eucalyptus , light spices and violet . On the palate, the body is fluid, carried by a beautiful acidity and supple tannins, which structure without weighing down. This wine focuses on lightness for an Argentinian Malbec and on freshness makes it an elegant and deep 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.