Zuccardi Q Malbec 2021

Zuccardi Q Malbec 2021

 

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Zuccardi
Q Malbec 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : Argentina
  • Region : Mendoza
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Deep Full Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 14°
  • Grappes : 100% Malbec

Crafted from high-altitude vineyards in Paraje Altamira and Los Chacayes, this elegant Malbec embodies both richness and finesse, with a distinctive freshness, fruit purity, and mineral complexity.

Experts Score Vintage
W&S Wines & Spirits 93 2021
JS James Suckling 93 2021
RP Robert Parker 92 2021
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 92 2021
TA Tim Atkin 92 2021
WS Wine Spectator 91 2021
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Zuccardi Q Malbec originates from two of the Uco Valley’s most esteemed regions in Mendoza, Argentina: Paraje Altamira and Los Chacayes. The Paraje Altamira vineyards are situated on an alluvial fan from the Tunuyán River at an altitude of 1,100 meters (3,609 feet). Known for its cool climate and large diurnal temperature range, this area has soils rich in stones and granite gravel, covered with calcareous material. These unique soils add complexity and minerality to the Malbec, contributing to the structure and depth of the wine.

The Los Chacayes vineyards, located west of the Uco Valley at around 1,000 meters (3,281 feet), also sit on an alluvial fan, this time from the Arroyo Grande. The soil here consists of sandy textures with small stones, ideal for maintaining good drainage. This terroir, combined with a sunny, temperate climate, encourages the development of bold red fruit flavors and a firm tannin structure in the grapes. Together, these regions provide a distinctive, layered profile for Zuccardi Q Malbec.

Winemaking

The winemaking process for Zuccardi Q Malbec begins with careful selection of grape clusters, focusing on quality and ripeness. The grapes are transferred by gravity into fermentation vessels, where they undergo fermentation with native yeasts in concrete tanks. This use of native yeasts enhances the unique characteristics of the terroir, preserving the purity and expression of the Malbec fruit.

Following fermentation, the wine is aged in a combination of concrete tanks and used, untoasted 500-liter French oak barrels. This maturation approach emphasizes the wine’s natural fruit profile and elegance, allowing a refined integration of tannins and a smooth texture. The result is a 100% Malbec with a balanced structure, a modest 14% alcohol content, 5.63 g/L of total acidity, and a pH of 3.69.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Intense violet-red, highlighting the vibrant character of Malbec.
  • Aroma: Aromas of fresh red fruit, such as cherries and plums, mingle with floral notes, herbs, and subtle hints of spice and mint, creating a complex and inviting bouquet.
  • Palate: The wine is medium-bodied, with ripe and firm tannins. It displays a strong fruity character with a notable freshness and minerality, ending with a long, elegant finish. This Malbec reflects the high-altitude terroir with balanced intensity and finesse.

Did you know?

Zuccardi Q was the first wine to carry the family name on the label when it was launched in 1999. The letter "Q" stands for "Quality" and signifies that the grapes come from selected parcels of Zuccardi’s best vineyards. These vineyards were initially marked with a "Q" to indicate that these parcels required special attention to achieve exceptional quality, a legacy that continues with each vintage.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Grilled Argentine Steak: The wine’s robust tannins and fresh acidity complement the richness and smoky flavors of grilled beef.
  • Lamb Tagine: The spices in the dish pair harmoniously with the wine’s herbal and subtle mint notes, while the fruity character enhances the flavors of the lamb.
  • Aged Manchego Cheese: The Malbec’s intense fruit profile and acidity balance the richness and nutty flavors of aged Manchego cheese.
  • Roasted Vegetables with Thyme: The herbal and fruity notes of the wine match well with the earthy and savory flavors of roasted vegetables.

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​​​​.

Wines & Spirits (W&S) : 93 Points (2021)
A selection from vineyards in Vista Flores and La Consulta, this wine is fun and zesty, focusing on malbec’s fresher side with wild blueberry flavors and violet scents. The snappy herbal pop in the tannins suggest vertically-integrated complexity, from purposeful harvest to Zuccardi’s light-handed vinification.

James Suckling (JS) : 93 Points (2021)
A spicy malbec with a touch of fine herbs, oyster sauce and dark minerals to the fresh blueberries. A very fresh and nicely chewy expression of malbec with a medium to full body on the palate. Tannins are tight, fresh and grained. Mostly from Paraje Altamira and Los Chacayes. Try in 2025.

Robert Parker (RP) : 92 Points (2021)
The 2021 Q Malbec comes from Altamira and Chacayes and was made with a significant part of full clusters (especially Altamira) and aged mostly in concrete to keep that sense of purity. It has notes of some blue fruit, aromatic herbs and a citrus twist, reminiscent of green tea. It is floral, expressive, perfumed and fine-boned, with a medium-bodied palate where the tannins are fine and there's some grip.Rating: 92+

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 92 Points (2021)
The 2021 Malbec Zuccardi Q from Los Chacayes and Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley was a third aged for 12 months in French barrels. Purple in hue. It has a clear nose of violet, thyme and fresh plum along with subtle aromas from the aging process. It’s juicy in the mouth with reactive tannins and a compact, fruity flavor. The cool year has helped with the character and style. (JH)

Tim Atkin (TA) : 92 Points (2021)
Made in what Sebastián Zuccardi calls the “tremendous” 2021 vintage, this textbook Uco Valley Malbec uses components from Gualtallary, Los Chacayes, Paraje Altamira and San Pablo. Modern, refreshing and enticingly aromatic, it has fennel and wild thyme scents, juicy blackberry and blueberry fruit, subtle oak and a mineral core.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 91 Points (2021)
Fresh, youthful and inviting, with violet, espresso bean and blueberry aromas that join a lively mouthful of orange peel. Features wild berry and slate accents that linger nicely around suave tannins. Drink now through 2032.

Zuccardi Tito Zuccardi 2020
Zuccardi Tito Zuccardi 2020
Zuccardi
Tito Zuccardi 2020
RP
93
TA
95
JS
94
Tito Zuccardi is a bold, high-altitude blend of Malbec and Cabernet Franc, crafted to honor the visionary spirit of Alberto “Tito” Zuccardi, who transformed Mendoza’s desert landscape into thriving vineyards.
39,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Zuccardi Aluvional Altamira Malbec 2018
Zuccardi Aluvional Altamira Malbec 2018
Zuccardi
Aluvional Altamira Malbec 2018
WS
94
RP
97
JS
94

Aged in concrete to preserve purity, Aluvional Paraje Altamira highlights Zuccardi’s commitment to terroir expression, capturing the essence of Mendoza’s renowned alluvial sites.

75,90 €
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Zuccardi Q Tempranillo 2019
Zuccardi Q Tempranillo 2019
Zuccardi
Q Tempranillo 2019
RP
92
WE
91
Zuccardi Q Tempranillo highlights the character of old-vine Tempranillo from the historic region of Santa Rosa, blending ripe fruit with a refined structure and elegant balance.
20,90 €
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Zuccardi Emma Zuccardi Bonarda 2018
Zuccardi Emma Zuccardi Bonarda 2018
Zuccardi
Emma Zuccardi Bonarda 2018
RP
93
JS
93
Emma Zuccardi Bonarda is a fresh, expressive Bonarda from Mendoza’s Valle de Uco, capturing the cool, high-altitude characteristics of Altamira and San Pablo.
39,90 €
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Zuccardi Finca Piedra Infinita 2018
Zuccardi Finca Piedra Infinita 2018
Zuccardi
Finca Piedra Infinita 2018
JS
99
RP
99
VN
96
Finca Piedra Infinita 2018 is a distinctive, high-altitude Malbec sourced from Zuccardi’s family vineyard in the Paraje Altamira region, reflecting Mendoza’s powerful and mineral-rich terroir.
155,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Zuccardi Aluvional Gualtallary Malbec 2018
Zuccardi Aluvional Gualtallary Malbec 2018
Zuccardi
Aluvional Gualtallary Malbec 2018
RP
98
JS
96
This 100% Malbec from the Aluvional line highlights Zuccardi’s exploration of alluvial soils, resulting in a wine that reflects the unique identity of Gualtallary with precision and depth.
75,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Zuccardi Serie A Malbec 2022
Zuccardi Serie A Malbec 2022
Zuccardi
Serie A Malbec 2022
RP
92
JS
92
DCT
91

Zuccardi Serie A Malbec is a vibrant expression of the Uco Valley’s Malbec, offering ripe red fruit aromas with a balance of elegance, freshness, and subtle complexity.

18,50 €
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Zuccardi Concreto 2021
Zuccardi Concreto 2021
Zuccardi
Concreto 2021
WS
92
RP
95
JS
95
Sourced from stone-rich and calcareous soils in the Uco Valley, this 100% Malbec is fermented and aged entirely in concrete, amplifying the energy and purity of the terroir.
32,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Zuccardi Jose Zuccardi Malbec 2018
Zuccardi Jose Zuccardi Malbec 2018
Zuccardi
Jose Zuccardi Malbec 2018
JS
96
WS
94
RP
94
José Zuccardi Malbec is an elegant and robust Malbec from high-altitude vineyards in Paraje Altamira and Gualtallary, capturing the complexity and minerality of Mendoza’s alluvial soils.
42,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Zuccardi Fosil Chardonnay 2021
Zuccardi Fosil Chardonnay 2021
Zuccardi
Fosil Chardonnay 2021
JS
95
VN
97
RP
96
Sourced from 1,400 meters at the foothills of the Andes, this 100% Chardonnay captures the freshness and complexity of Mendoza’s Valle de Uco with purity and balance.
65,00 €
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Zuccardi Poligonos San Pablo Cabernet Franc 2020
Zuccardi Poligonos San Pablo Cabernet Franc 2020
Zuccardi
Poligonos San Pablo Cabernet Franc 2020
WE
91
DCT
93
RP
94
Cultivated at 1,400 meters (4,593 feet) in an alluvial zone just 600 meters from the Andes, this 100% Cabernet Franc captures the influence of the Andes Mountains in every aspect of its flavor profile.
24,90 €
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Zuccardi Poligonos Malbec Gualtallary 2021
Zuccardi Poligonos Malbec Gualtallary 2021
Zuccardi
Poligonos Malbec Gualtallary 2021
RP
94
W&S
94
Part of Zuccardi’s Polígonos series, this wine offers a nuanced expression of Gualtallary’s terroir, crafted to embody the unique landscape, climate, and soil diversity of the Andes.
29,00 €
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Zuccardi Q Chardonnay 2020
Zuccardi Q Chardonnay 2020
Zuccardi
Q Chardonnay 2020
RP
91
JS
92
Sourced from Gualtallary and El Peral, two of Mendoza’s premier vineyard sites, this Chardonnay showcases balanced acidity and a refined structure, highlighting Argentina's high-elevation terroir.
20,90 €
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Zuccardi Serie A Torrontes 2023
Zuccardi Serie A Torrontes 2023
Zuccardi
Serie A Torrontes 2023
RP
92
Zuccardi Serie A Torrontés captures the essence of high-altitude Salta vineyards, delivering a fresh, floral, and citrus-driven expression of Argentina’s signature white grape with a refined, elegant structure.
17,90 €
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Zuccardi Finca Piedra Infinita Gravascal 2019
Zuccardi Finca Piedra Infinita Gravascal 2019
Zuccardi
Finca Piedra Infinita Gravascal 2019
RP
97
JS
99
RP
100
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.
245,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Zuccardi Aluvional Los Chacayes 2018
Zuccardi Aluvional Los Chacayes 2018
Zuccardi
Aluvional Los Chacayes 2018
WS
95
RP
95
JS
95
Aluvional Los Chacayes is a bold, high-altitude Malbec from Mendoza’s Uco Valley, capturing the distinctive minerality and intensity of the Los Chacayes terroir.
68,00 €
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Zuccardi Botanico 2021
Zuccardi Botanico 2021
Zuccardi
Botanico 2021
RP
97
Botánico is a pure and expressive Chardonnay from Gualtallary, showcasing the unique flora and calcareous soils of Mendoza’s high-altitude desert landscape.
75,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Zuccardi Finca Las Cerrilladas Malbec 2019
Zuccardi Finca Las Cerrilladas Malbec 2019
Zuccardi
Finca Las Cerrilladas Malbec 2019
RP
98
Finca Las Cerrilladas Malbec is an exclusive single-vineyard Malbec from Gualtallary, crafted to capture the mineral-rich character of the high-altitude soils in Mendoza’s Valle de Uco.
125,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Zuccardi Finca Los Membrillos Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Zuccardi Finca Los Membrillos Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Zuccardi
Finca Los Membrillos Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
VN
94
RP
93
JS
94
Finca Los Membrillos Cabernet Sauvignon is a single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon that reflects the distinct, high-altitude terroir of Paraje Altamira, Mendoza. This wine embodies the legacy of the region, combining traditional cultivation methods with Zuccardi’s precision winemaking.
125,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Zuccardi Finca Piedra Infinita Supercal 2019
Zuccardi Finca Piedra Infinita Supercal 2019
Zuccardi
Finca Piedra Infinita Supercal 2019
JS
98
RP
100
VN
97
Finca Piedra Infinita Supercal 2019 is an exceptional single-parcel Malbec from a unique 0.93-hectare plot in the Paraje Altamira region, revealing the most extreme calcareous expression of Mendoza’s terroir.
245,00 €
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Zuccardi Poligonos San Pablo Malbec 2019
Zuccardi Poligonos San Pablo Malbec 2019
Zuccardi
Poligonos San Pablo Malbec 2019
JS
94
RP
94
Polígonos San Pablo Malbec is a high-altitude Malbec from the San Pablo region in Mendoza’s Valle de Uco, highlighting the cool, intense climate and mineral-rich soils of this Andean foothill terroir.
31,30 €
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Wine regions guide
24,90 €
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