Matias Riccitelli The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree Malbec 2021

Region and Vineyards

This Malbec is sourced from two distinct vineyards in Mendoza: Perdriel in Luján de Cuyo and Gualtallary in the Uco Valley. Perdriel, located at 950 metres altitude near the Mendoza River, features rocky alluvial soils that yield rich, structured wines with soft tannins and ripe fruit depth. In contrast, Gualtallary sits much higher at 1,400 metres, with limestone-rich calcareous soils that produce Malbec with freshness, minerality, and spicy aromatics.

Both sites benefit from wide diurnal temperature shifts, encouraging slow ripening, excellent colour, and balanced acidity. The vines are hand-harvested in small 20 kg trays to protect berry integrity. A green harvest in December helps to concentrate flavours and maintain quality in the final blend.

Winemaking

The grapes are carefully hand-sorted and fermented in small concrete vats at 26°C, with four daily pump-overs and a long maceration of 30 days to enhance extraction of colour, aroma, and tannin. Fermentation is followed by 12 months of ageing in seasoned French oak barrels, which brings roundness and gentle integration of oak without dominating the fruit.

No fining with animal products is used, making the wine vegan-friendly. The final wine is bottled with minimal intervention to preserve varietal expression and site identity.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep purple with vibrant clarity.
• Aroma: Intense and lifted, showing black plum, wild berry, cedar, and spicy fruitcake, with notes of vanilla and dark chocolate.
• Palate: Full-bodied and smooth, with ripe black fruit, fine-grained tannins, and a long, rich finish. Complexity and freshness are held in perfect balance.

Did you know?

The name “The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree” is a nod to winemaker Matías Riccitelli’s lineage—he is the son of Jorge Riccitelli, one of Argentina’s most influential winemakers. With this cuvée, Matías pays homage to family legacy while forging his own style rooted in modern craftsmanship and terroir precision.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled ribeye steak with chimichurri – a classic pairing where fruit intensity meets herbal lift.
• Beef short ribs with dark mole sauce – richness, spice, and structure in harmony.
• Smoked portobello burgers – earthiness and umami match the wine’s depth.
• Hard cheeses like Manchego or aged Gouda – complement the smooth tannins and dark fruit character.

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.