Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Moscatel Tinto from the Finca R. Maggio was harvested the first week of March and fermented with foot-trodden full clusters and indigenous yeasts in concrete eggs. The élevage was in egg and lasted some eight months. This is notably riper than the Criolla, but the alcohol and ripeness doesn't show. In fact, this is paler than the 2020 and looks more like a Criolla, as they worked with some pressed juice, not with 100% of the skins, and in a very reductive way. This is faintly riper than the 2020. The plants are scattered in different vineyards and it's hard to pick everything at the same ripeness, as the grapes have to ferment together because of the small volume. 2,400 bottles produced. It was bottled in October 2019.
Beyond the usual suspects, there are hundreds of red grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines, while others are better suited for use as blending grapes. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles, offering much to be discovered by the curious wine lover. In particular, Portugal and Italy are known for having a multitude of unique varieties but they can really be found in any region.
This very hot and arid region produces fine red wines from Bonarda, Syrah and Malbec and solid, fruity white wines from Pinot grigio, Viognier and Chardonnay.