Zuccardi Finca Piedra Infinita Gravascal 2019

Zuccardi Finca Piedra Infinita Gravascal 2019

 

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Zuccardi
Finca Piedra Infinita Gravascal 2019
  • Vintage : 2019
  • Country : Argentina
  • Region : Mendoza
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Deep Full Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 14°
  • Grappes : 100% Malbec

Finca Piedra Infinita Gravascal 2019 is a rare, terroir-driven Malbec from a unique 0.73-hectare plot in Paraje Altamira, capturing the pure essence of Mendoza’s high-altitude soils and climate.

Experts Score Vintage
JS James Suckling 99 2019
RP Robert Parker 97 2019
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 97 2018
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Finca Piedra Infinita, located in the IG Paraje Altamira of San Carlos, Valle de Uco, lies at an altitude of 1,100 meters (3,609 feet). This vineyard, planted on the highest part of the alluvial fan of the Tunuyán River, showcases a unique soil composition that combines gravels and large granite rocks, with a coating of calcareous material found at just 50 centimeters below the surface. This mineral-rich foundation is a hallmark of the Altamira region, contributing to a deeply expressive and complex wine.

The Gravascal plot, in the northeast corner of the vineyard, receives intense sunlight due to its altitude, while the surrounding Andes bring a strong diurnal temperature variation. This climatic influence allows for optimal acidity and structured tannins, preserving freshness and balance in the fruit, and enhancing the wine’s aging potential.

Winemaking

The 2019 vintage was exceptional, with a fresh and dry growing season. Temperatures were cooler than average, allowing for a long ripening period that retained excellent natural acidity and structured tannins. The grapes for Gravascal are manually selected to ensure quality, and they are transferred by gravity to concrete vessels for fermentation.

The wine is fermented with native yeasts in concrete pools without epoxy, highlighting the purity of the fruit. After fermentation, Gravascal is aged entirely in concrete to preserve the wine’s natural character and minerality, creating a Malbec that reflects the precision and purity of its terroir. The final wine contains 14% alcohol, with 5.59 g/L of total acidity and a pH of 3.65.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Deep, intense purple, reflecting the concentration and depth of this high-altitude Malbec.
  • Aroma: A layered bouquet of dark berries, violets, and earthy minerals, with subtle notes of spices and herbs that reveal the wine’s connection to its calcareous soil.
  • Palate: Full-bodied and structured, with fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Flavors of ripe black fruit and a persistent mineral finish reflect the unique character of the Los Chacayes plot, offering complexity and elegance.

Did you know?

The Gravascal plot was selected as a “lieu dit” within the Finca Piedra Infinita, as it possesses an exceptionally marked identity due to its unique soil structure and high-altitude conditions. Zuccardi’s commitment to showcasing such “hidden places” within the vineyard allows each micro-terroir to reveal its personality and contribution to the broader Mendoza landscape.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Braised Short Ribs with Polenta: The wine’s structured tannins and dark fruit notes balance the richness of braised meat, while its mineral undertones match the creamy polenta.
  • Wild Mushroom and Thyme Tart: The earthy, herbal flavors of the tart harmonize with the wine’s mineral complexity, enhancing its depth and texture.
  • Aged Gruyère or Comté: The nutty, intense flavors of aged cheese complement the Malbec’s tannins and acidity, creating a refined pairing.
  • Lamb Stew with Rosemary and Garlic: The savory, herbaceous flavors in the stew echo the wine’s subtle earthy notes and add layers to its robust structure.

History of Zuccardi

The story of Familia Zuccardi began in 1963 when Engineer Alberto “Tito” Zuccardi planted the family's first vineyard in Mendoza to demonstrate his innovative irrigation system. This vineyard not only marked the beginning of Zuccardi's journey in viticulture but also sparked a passion for winemaking that would be passed down through generations​​.

In 1985, Tito's son, José Alberto Zuccardi, took over the management of the family business. Under his leadership, the winery expanded its operations and gained international recognition. José Alberto's innovative spirit and dedication to quality have made him one of Argentina's most prominent wine ambassadors​​.

Today, the winery is led by Sebastián Zuccardi, the third generation of the family. Sebastián has continued to push the boundaries of winemaking by exploring the diverse terroirs of the Uco Valley and focusing on sustainability. In 2009, he founded the Research & Development department to study the region's soils and climate, aiming to produce wines that truly reflect their place of origin​​.

Region and Vineyards

Familia Zuccardi's vineyards are located in the Uco Valley, a region known for its high-altitude climate, complex soils, and breathtaking mountain landscapes.

The valley's soils are of alluvial origin, formed by materials that descended from the Andes Mountains millions of years ago. These soils are diverse and heterogeneous, providing a unique environment for viticulture​​.

The vineyards are situated at various altitudes, ranging from 1,050 meters to 1,400 meters above sea level, which allows for a wide range of microclimates and soil types. Some of the key vineyards include:

  • Finca Canal Uco: Located in Paraje Altamira, known for its alluvial soils with large granite stones covered in calcium carbonate.
  • Finca Piedra Infinita: Also in Paraje Altamira, featuring shallow alluvial soils with granite stones and calcareous material.
  • Finca Los Membrillos: Known for its calcareous soils with large granite stones, primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon.
  • Finca Las Cuchillas: Located in San Pablo, one of the coldest areas in the Uco Valley, known for its high-altitude and calcareous soils.
  • Finca Las Cerrilladas: Situated in Gualtallary, with diverse soils influenced by the Jaboncillo Hills​​.

Winemaking

Sebastián Zuccardi, along with a dedicated team of viticulturists and winemakers, emphasizes the importance of expressing the true identity of the Uco Valley through their wines. The winery uses minimal intervention techniques, allowing the unique characteristics of the terroir to shine through.

Most of the wines are fermented and aged in concrete vats and large, untoasted oak barrels, which do not impart any flavors to the wine but allow for subtle micro-oxygenation. This method preserves the purity and expression of the fruit, showcasing the distinctive qualities of each vineyard and parcel​​​​.

Wine Range

Zuccardi offers a diverse range of wines, each reflecting the unique terroir of the Uco Valley. The portfolio includes:

  • Finca Wines: Single vineyard wines that express the specific characteristics of a particular vineyard (ex: Finca Piedra Infinita Supercal, Finca Piedra Infinita Gravascal).
  • Paraje Wines: Wines that highlight the identity of a subzone within a village of the Uco Valley (ex: Polígonos Paraje Altamira, Polígonos San Pablo).
  • Pueblo Wines: Wines that show the identity of a single village (Geographical Indication) in the Uco Valley (ex: Aluvional Gualtallary, Aluvional La Consulta).
  • Viticulturist Wines: Unique expressions honoring the history of the family, a particular region, or grape variety (ex: Tito Zuccardi, Emma Zuccardi).
  • Regional Wines: Wines made from Argentina and Mendoza's most important grape varieties from regions considered most representative for each variety​​ (ex: Zuccardi Q Malbec, Zuccardi Serie A Torrontés​).

Did You Know?

Zuccardi has received numerous accolades for its exceptional wines. In 2022, it became the only winery in Argentina with three wines awarded 100 points from Robert Parker Wine Advocate.

Additionally, Wine Enthusiast named it "New World Winery of the Year," and it was recognized as the #1 best vineyard in the world by the World’s Best Vineyards for three consecutive years (2019-2021), earning a place in the Hall of Fame in 2022​​​​.

James Suckling (JS) : 99 Points (2019)
What a nose! Complex and brooding, yet subtle and layered. The array of aromas range from scented violets and blueberries to dried herbs and minerals. Full-bodied with racy dark cherries and blueberries on the palate. Incredibly zingy and fresh, coated by a plethora of fine, polished tannins that dissipate into the fruit. That said, this is quite assertive. Chalky finish. Long and intellectual. A little more expressive than the powerful Supercal. Drinkable now, but it will reward patience over the next decade.

Robert Parker (RP) : 97 Points (2019)
The 2019 Finca Piedra Infinita Gravascal is an earthier wine with notes of graphite. It was selected from a plot within their Piedra Infinita vineyard around the beautiful winery in Paraje Altamira, where there are some 40 centimeters of soil and then the limestone-covered white and round alluvial rocks. It feels drier (despite all of them being dry) than the Piedra Infinita, which is a blend of soils, and little less refined than the Supercal that really shines in 2019. All these bottlings have achieved very high precision and purity, but somehow there is something that makes it less clean and precise than its siblings.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 97 Points (2018)
The 2018 Malbec Finca Piedra Infinita Supercal comes from Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley, specifically a selection of calcium rich soils. The reductive nose delivers aromas of sweet and sour cherry, violets and traces of herbs that, in the house style, take a while to appear, but when they do, they boast a fruity subtlety. It is tense in the mouth with a significant amount of chalk and a juicy freshness that marshals the palate, ensuring that the flavors are precisely organized. Intensity and nuance are the order of the day in this red made rugged by the chalky soils of the region. The 2018 is the kind of wine that gives drinkers plenty to think about. (JH) (11/2021)

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TA
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JS
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RP
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RP
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VN
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JS
96
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RP
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JS
92
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RP
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RP
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