Matias Riccitelli Wines Old Vines Semillon 2019
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Parker
Robert
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Riccitelli used a 2,000-liter oak foudre for the fermentation of the 2019 Old Vines from Patagonia Semillon, and the wine has an unusual aromatic power for the grape. They have been harvesting the Semillon earlier and earlier each year, and in 2019, it was picked almost one month earlier than the first vintage (2015), but there isn't any loss of concentration. There are notes of passion fruit, hints of raspberry leaf, fresh and very attractive. To avoid losing acidity, he doesn't do malolactic in any of the wines, and this has a very healthy pH (3.1) and moderate alcohol (12.5%), which means incredible freshness. The foudre is very integrated, unnoticeable, and the wine is pure, sharp, defined and textured but different from the previous years. This wine was a revelation right from the first harvest, and the earlier picking and the interaction with the oak has given it an unexpected twist that provides an even stronger personality.
Other Vintages
2018-
Suckling
James
Sémillon has the power to create wines with considerable structure, depth and length that will improve for several decades. It is the perfect partner to the vivdly aromatic Sauvignon Blanc. Sémillon especially shines in the Bordeaux region of Sauternes, which produces some of the world’s greatest sweet wines. Somm Secret—Sémillon was so common in South Africa in the 1820s, covering 93% of the country’s vineyard area, it was simply referred to as Wyndruif, or “wine grape.”
One of the most southerly regions on the globe for fine wine production, Patagonia has experienced extraordinary vineyard expansion since the early 2000s.
Patagonia vineyards occupy the lower foothills of the Andes at 1,000 to 1,600 feet. Here cold air drops at night from incredibly steep elevations—the Andes reach well over 15,000 feet in this zone—a phenomenon that produces drastic diurnal shifts. Cold nights contrasted with hot summer days produce grapes with striking color, full ripeness, great finesse and aromatic intensity.
Favored for its luxury brands, the Patagonia wine growing region of Argentina focuses on a diverse array of international varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillón and Viognier among the white grapes, and Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon for reds.