Domaine Nico La Savante Pinot Noir 2020

Region and Vineyards

The Domaine Nico La Savante Pinot Noir originates from the Gualtallary region in Tupungato, within Mendoza’s renowned Uco Valley in Argentina. Planted at an impressive 5,794 feet (1,766 meters) above sea level, this vineyard benefits from intense sunlight combined with cool mountain air, leading to a slower grape ripening process. This unique climate produces wines with vibrant acidity and a fresh, complex flavor profile. The soil composition of gravel and clay-loam adds a mineral-driven dimension to the wine, enhancing its precision and depth.

Gualtallary has built a reputation as a premier site for high-altitude viticulture, especially suited to Pinot Noir. Its soil structure and high elevation allow for natural acidity and concentrated flavors, making it ideal for crafting elegant and complex wines. Domaine Nico’s commitment to showcasing the purity of this terroir through careful vineyard management and minimal intervention highlights the Uco Valley's exceptional potential for producing world-class Pinot Noir.

Winemaking

The La Savante Pinot Noir is crafted entirely from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, with meticulous attention to preserving the wine’s texture and nuanced flavors. Clone 115 is fermented with 20% whole clusters in 600-liter oak roll-fermentors to enhance structure and texture, while Clone 777 sees 50% whole cluster fermentation in 500-liter stainless-steel tanks. This dual approach, combined with hand punch-downs for gentle extraction, ensures a balance of complexity and freshness. The wine undergoes a 7-10 day maceration to extract delicate aromas and color, followed by malolactic fermentation in barrel to impart a creamy mouthfeel.

Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, with 20% new and 80% second-use barrels, the wine absorbs subtle oak influence without overshadowing its red fruit character. This careful selection of barrel age contributes to the wine’s smooth integration of oak while allowing the purity of the Pinot Noir to shine.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep ruby, with medium intensity.
• Aroma: Aromas of fresh red fruit layered with herbal notes like thyme, alongside spices such as clove, and a mineral undertone.
• Palate: Medium-high acidity with low alcohol; displays minerality, fine-grained tannins, and a balanced oak influence, providing both structure and finesse.

Did You Know?

The name "La Savante" translates to "The Scholar" in French, a tribute to intelligent and thoughtful women who embody both depth and grace. This philosophy is mirrored in the wine's character, which combines sophistication with an intricate structure, much like the qualities of a true scholar.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Roasted Quail with Thyme and Garlic: The herbal notes in the quail complement the wine’s thyme and spice aromatics, while its acidity balances the richness of the meat.
• Beet and Goat Cheese Salad: The minerality and acidity in the wine pair well with earthy beets and creamy goat cheese, creating a harmonious contrast.
• Grilled Salmon with Herbed Butter: The wine’s medium-high acidity and red fruit profile enhance the richness of salmon, while the minerality pairs well with fresh herbs.
• Charcuterie Board with Soft Cheeses: Soft cheeses and savory cured meats bring out the wine's spice and subtle oak, making it an ideal companion for varied flavors.

History of Domaine Nico Estate

Domaine Nico was founded by Laura Catena, a fourth-generation winemaker from the prominent Catena family, known worldwide for elevating the profile of Argentinian wines. Laura is not only a visionary in the wine industry but also a trained biologist and medical doctor. Her extensive background in science shapes her approach to viticulture and winemaking, allowing her to marry empirical precision with the artistry of wine.

Inspired by her deep appreciation for Pinot Noir and the wines of Burgundy, Laura established Domaine Nico with a clear mission: to explore how this delicate grape variety could thrive in the unique, high-altitude terroirs of Mendoza. The name Domaine Nico is a tribute to her daughter, Nico, symbolizing a legacy of innovation and dedication to winemaking. Since its first vintage in 2017, Domaine Nico has set out to redefine Argentinian Pinot Noir, focusing on single-vineyard expressions that highlight the intricacies of the Gualtallary terroir.

Winemaker Roy Urvieta collaborates closely with Laura, bringing his expertise in terroir-driven wines to Domaine Nico’s micro-winery setup. Together, they employ minimal intervention techniques, allowing the vineyard's natural characteristics to shine in each vintage. This approach has allowed Domaine Nico to achieve a level of finesse and complexity that sets a new benchmark for Argentinian Pinot Noir.

Region and Vineyards

Domaine Nico’s vineyards are located in Gualtallary, a high-altitude sub-region within the Tupungato area of the Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina. Situated at altitudes that reach 1,750 meters (5,740 feet), these vineyards benefit from a unique combination of intense sunlight and cooler temperatures, which allows for a slower ripening process. This high altitude contributes to natural acidity and balanced tannins, hallmarks of Domaine Nico’s Pinot Noir wines.

The gravel and clay-loam soils in Gualtallary offer excellent drainage and are mineral-rich, which enhances the wines with a distinctive minerality and depth. This terroir-driven character is amplified by the area’s natural irrigation from Andean snowmelt, ensuring that the vines are nurtured by pure, mineral-laden water. Gualtallary is well-regarded for its expressive and mineral-driven wines, making it an ideal location for Domaine Nico’s focus on precise, site-specific Pinot Noir.

Wine Range

Domaine Nico specializes in single-vineyard Pinot Noir, with a range that highlights various vineyard plots and soil types within Gualtallary. The winery produces limited quantities, focusing on small-lot wines crafted with meticulous care.

Key wines include La Savante and Histoire d'A, each reflecting a unique aspect of the terroir. For instance, La Savante emphasizes mineral notes and herbaceous qualities, while Histoire d'A showcases red fruit and spice. Domaine Nico’s wines are crafted to express the diversity of Gualtallary’s soils and elevations, each bottle offering a distinct expression of its specific vineyard origin.

Did You Know?

Domaine Nico was created as an homage to the intellectual and artistic qualities of women, with each wine named to reflect Laura Catena’s vision of femininity that is strong, thoughtful, and complex. The name La Savante means "The Scholar" in French, celebrating Laura’s scientific background and her commitment to combining academic precision with winemaking artistry.