El Esteco Old Vines 1945 Torrontes 2022

The 2022 Old Vines Torrontés comes from old vines planted in 1945 in Cafayate on deep, sandy soils. It was harvested early because Marcelo Belmonte told me that "alcohol kills terroir." It fermented with native yeasts at a low temperature in concrete eggs and matured there with lees for seven to nine months. It has moderate alcohol at 13.3% and retained very good acidity and freshness. It has a classical nose of talcum powder and rose petal and limited reminiscences of Moscatel in the shape of orange blossom and citrus. It's pale and young, elegant with some austerity and a soft mouthfeel and purity of flavors, high-pitched and not heavy at all and with a dry finish. 20,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in in September 2022.

Alejandro Pepa achieves added complexity in this impressive Torrontés by using 15% whole bunches and partial ageing in foudres. Floral lime and kiwi fruit notes are complemented by some tannic grip and structure from the stems. 2019-22 

Plenty of apricot pie and sugarcoated apples and then some herbal undertones, such as fresh coriander, as well as white stones. Medium-bodied with sweet-and-sour character, thanks to the combination of fleshy stone fruit and bright acidity.