Region and Vineyards
This Chardonnay is crafted from vineyards located in Gualtallary, within the Uco Valley of Mendoza, Argentina. These vineyards are situated at an altitude of 1,450 meters above sea level, where the cool, continental climate helps to preserve the natural acidity of the grapes. The soils are predominantly calcareous, which imparts a distinct minerality to the wine.
The vines were planted in the late 1960s, and their maturity allows for lower yields and greater concentration of flavor. The vineyards are cultivated using sustainable farming practices, with no herbicides or synthetic products, ensuring a natural and pure expression of the terroir.
Winemaking
The Sobre Suelos Calcareos Chardonnay is made with hand-harvested grapes, ensuring that only the best fruit is selected. A pre-fermentation maceration lasting five days is conducted to enhance aromatic complexity. The fermentation takes place in concrete eggs at a low temperature of 14-16°C, which helps to preserve the fresh, bright characteristics of the Chardonnay.
The wine is aged for eight months in the same concrete eggs used for fermentation. The winemaking process is minimalist, with no fining or filtration, to retain the purity and texture of the wine. The resulting wine has an alcohol level of 12.5%, an acidity of 6.9 g/L, and a residual sugar content of 1.9 g/L.
Tasting Notes
- Aroma: The Sobre Suelos Calcareos Chardonnay offers a vibrant nose with citrus notes, primarily lemon and lime, alongside hints of mineral and a touch of salinity.
- Palate: On the palate, this wine is fresh and well-balanced, with an impressive mineral-driven depth. It showcases a light carbonation, a saline edge, and a refreshing citrus finish. The wine is bright and quenching, with no excessive creaminess, making it a refreshing and digestible white wine.
Did You Know?
The Sobre Suelos Calcareos Chardonnay is designed in a style similar to Chablis, offering a non-oaked profile that emphasizes freshness and minerality. This approach is relatively rare for Argentina, where richer, oaked Chardonnays are more common. The result is a truly unique wine that stands out in the region for its cold-climate expression and focus on purity.
Wine Pairing Ideas
- Oysters on the half shell: The bright acidity and saline notes of the wine complement the briny freshness of oysters.
- Ceviche: The wine’s citrus profile pairs beautifully with the tangy and fresh flavors of ceviche.
- Goat cheese salad: The wine’s minerality and crispness provide a great balance to the creaminess of goat cheese and the freshness of a light salad.