Santa Julia Organic Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Other Vintages
2022-
Suckling
James
-
Suckling
James
-
Suckling
James
-
Suckling
James
Bodega Santa Julia was created in honor of Julia Zuccardi, part of the third generation of the Zuccardi Family. Santa Julia winery represents the family’s commitment to producing the highest quality wines through organic and sustainable practices that protect the environment and uplift the local community. Sustainable practices include organic farming, compost production, bottling in lightweight glass, and solar power at the winery. For Julia, and the Zuccardi Family, sustainability is not just about working in harmony with the environment, rather it is a comprehensive approach that supports the land, the farmers, and the overall health of the local community through education, equality, physical and financial health. Julia continues to enrich her local community by overseeing programs which provide childcare and schooling for employees’ children, adult education programs, access to computer labs, and health centers to sustain physical and mental wellness. With Santa Julia in your glass, you are assured a high quality wine which respects the land and supports local families who diligently tend to the vines.
Argentina of course is heralded for its Malbecs. But in the last two decades Cabernet Sauvignon has been drawing increased attention from winemakers there, and is now the third most planted variety. It is grown in the Mendoza region in the Andean foothills, especially in Maipú and Luján de Cuyo, at altitudes between 2300 and 3100 feet. Here the climate is continental, with hot summers and cold winters. It is very dry and sometimes quite windy, with runoff from the snow-capped Andes providing irrigation. These Argentinian Cabernets offer dark fruit, spice notes, full body and often a voluptuous style.
Another source within Mendoza is the higher altitude Uco Valley, at 3300 to 5000 feet. Up at this level grapes ripen more slowly, despite the bright sun. But that enables them to develop bright acidity levels, giving the wines a fresh quality to go with intense fruit flavors. Another source of good Cabernet Sauvignon in Argentina is Cafayate, in the Calchaquí Valley. North of Mendoza, these vineyards are even higher, at about 5700 feet! These Cabernets carry notes of spice, herbs and menthol to go with dark fruit. Like those from Uco Valley, they show concentration and great vibrancy.
A few producers to look for are Catena, Viña Cobos, Pulenta and Altocedro. Salud!