Matias Riccitelli Old Vines From Patagonia Semillon 2022

Riccitelli used a 2,000-liter oak foudre for the fermentation of the 2019 Old Vines from Patagonia Semillon, and the wine has an unusual aromatic power for the grape. They have been harvesting the Semillon earlier and earlier each year, and in 2019, it was picked almost one month earlier than the first vintage (2015), but there isn't any loss of concentration. There are notes of passion fruit, hints of raspberry leaf, fresh and very attractive. To avoid losing acidity, he doesn't do malolactic in any of the wines, and this has a very healthy pH (3.1) and moderate alcohol (12.5%), which means incredible freshness. The foudre is very integrated, unnoticeable, and the wine is pure, sharp, defined and textured but different from the previous years. This wine was a revelation right from the first harvest, and the earlier picking and the interaction with the oak has given it an unexpected twist that provides an even stronger personality. It was a healthy vintage with moderate yields from the old vines. 3,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2019 after some six months in the foudre.

This has a fresh lemon thread with a salty-mineral kick, as well as a very plush, polished textural build. Super long, juicy and even with a sleek, fresh finish. The lemon flavors hold long and even. From vines planted at the end of the 1960s. Fermented in a mix of 60 per cent oak and 40 per cent concrete.