Matias Riccitelli Riccitelli & Father Malbec - Cabernet Franc 2021

Region and Vineyards

This wine is crafted from two distinct terroirs within Mendoza, each contributing unique elements to the final blend. The Malbec (70%) comes from Las Compuertas, in Luján de Cuyo, planted in 1927 on loamy clay over alluvial soils. These ancient, low-yielding vines produce grapes of exceptional concentration and texture, located at 1,000 metres above sea level.

The Cabernet Franc (30%) is sourced from Los Chacayes in the Uco Valley, a high-altitude zone renowned for its freshness and structure. Planted on boulder-strewn, mineral-rich mountain soils, the vines benefit from cooler conditions that ensure slow ripening, aromatic lift, and balancing acidity. Both vineyards are farmed sustainably, without herbicides, and are in conversion to organic status. Grapes are hand-harvested in 20 kg crates to preserve fruit integrity.

Winemaking

The wine was co-created by Matías Riccitelli and his father Jorge, symbolising two generations of expertise. Grapes are hand-selected, with 20% fermented as whole clusters to bring additional structure and complexity. The remainder is destemmed, and fermentation takes place in small French oak vats using indigenous yeasts, at 26–28 °C.

Cap management is gentle, with manual submersion to ensure a slow and precise extraction of tannins, colour, and aromatics. The wine is aged for 16 months in 2,000-litre French oak foudres, which offer integration without overt oakiness. It is bottled unfined and unfiltered, preserving purity and texture.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep ruby with garnet edges.
• Aroma: High aromatic intensity with blackberry, cassis, liquorice, red pepper, and floral spice.
• Palate: Smooth yet structured, with velvety tannins, a core of ripe black fruit, and notes of graphite, spice, and violets. Exceptionally balanced with a long, expressive finish.

Did you know?

This wine is a collaborative creation between Matías Riccitelli and his father Jorge, one of Argentina’s most celebrated winemakers. It represents a meeting of old-vine heritage and contemporary vision, showcasing the great aging potential and nuanced expression of Argentina’s top red varieties—Malbec and Cabernet Franc.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Roasted rack of lamb with rosemary and garlic – enhances the wine’s herbal and spice elements.
• Dry-aged ribeye with peppercorn sauce – richness mirrors the wine’s depth and velvety texture.
• Stuffed portobello mushrooms with lentils and herbs – earthy and savoury layers echo the wine’s complexity.
• Semi-hard cheeses (e.g., aged Mahón or Gruyère) – nutty and umami tones match beautifully.

History of Matías Riccitelli

The Riccitelli project was born in 2009, when Matías Riccitelli—son of legendary Argentine winemaker Jorge Riccitelli—decided to create his own path. After gaining experience in some of Argentina’s most prestigious wineries and working harvests abroad in Bordeaux and South Africa, Matías established his eponymous winery in Las Compuertas, one of Luján de Cuyo’s oldest and highest zones.

Driven by a desire to blend tradition with innovation, Matías quickly made a name for himself through minimal intervention winemaking, precise vineyard work, and a deep respect for historical sites and forgotten varieties. His father Jorge joined him on select projects—most notably Riccitelli & Father—symbolising the union of two generations and two philosophies.

From the outset, the estate has focused on small-lot, characterful wines that express both place and personality. Matías has helped revive old-vine Semillón, spotlight single-vineyard Malbecs, and explore cool-climate varietals like Cabernet Franc, Bastardo (Trousseau), and Torrontés in Patagonia and the Uco Valley.

Region and Vineyards

Riccitelli Wines operates from its base in Las Compuertas (Luján de Cuyo), a high-altitude region known for its old vines and distinctive alluvial soils. The estate cultivates low-yielding plots, including a Malbec vineyard planted in 1927, where organic and sustainable practices are standard.

In addition to Las Compuertas, Riccitelli sources fruit from select parcels in the Uco Valley—including Gualtallary, Altamira, Vista Flores, and Los Chacayes—at altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 1,400 metres. These zones offer cooler climates, rocky soils, and precise diurnal temperature variation, which allow for fresh, aromatic, age-worthy wines.

Further south in Río Negro (Patagonia), Riccitelli works with heritage vineyards planted in the 1960s and earlier, reviving rare grapes like Bastardo and Semillón. These old vines thrive in semi-desert conditions with sandy-loam soils, contributing freshness, low alcohol, and natural elegance to the wines.

Wine Range of Matías Riccitelli

The portfolio is structured around several key lines:

• Old Vines from Patagonia: Rare varietals (Bastardeau, Semillón, Pinot Noir) from 50–80-year-old vines in Río Negro.
• Vineyard Selection / Viñedo de Montaña: Focused on single-varietal expressions (Cabernet Franc, Malbec) from high-altitude Mendoza vineyards.
• The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree: A playful yet serious range highlighting varietal typicity - Malbec, Bonarda, Torrontés - crafted with minimal intervention.
• Riccitelli & Father: A multi-generational collaboration, blending Malbec and Cabernet Franc in an elegant, age-worthy style.
• República del Malbec: A tribute to Argentina’s Malbec heritage, sourced from pre-phylloxera vines planted in 1908.
• Hey Malbec!: A vibrant, juicy take on Malbec, intended for early enjoyment and pure fruit expression.

Did you know?

Matías Riccitelli was one of the first winemakers in Mendoza to work extensively with Bastardo (Trousseau), a variety almost extinct in South America. His version from Patagonia has helped revive global interest in the grape, once considered too delicate for Argentine terroir.