Winemaker Notes
The grapes used for Zuccardi Q come from recognized micro-regions in the Uco Valley and selected old vineyards. Made from old vine Tempranillo grown in the high desert of Mendoza. Intense red ruby color. Look for dry red fruits like cherry supported by chocolate, leather, cedar, tobacco, and spice notes - all on a frame built for medium-term aging.
Vegan-Friendly
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
They want to keep the Tempranillo for longer before it's released, so the current vintage from the Q range is the 2018 Q Tempranillo. This comes from Santa Rosa in the traditional part of Mendoza, mentioned on the label, a historical wine here with pergola vines planted some 40 years ago by the grandfather of the current generation. He likes the wine after some time in bottle, a little like the wines from Rioja in Spain, matured in well-seasoned 225-liter French oak barrels. So, it has a slightly different style from the rest of the range, with spiciness from the élevage, notes of tobacco and a sensation of sweetness, ripeness with control, 14% alcohol and a velvety mouthfeel. 50,000 bottles were filled in July 2020. They will release this bottling even later, but gradually, because they feel the 2004 or 2005 is perfect for current drinking. I've tried some bottles from the 1990s, and they are quite impressive.
Rating: 91+
Notoriously food-friendly, long-lasting and Spain’s most widely planted grape, Tempranillo is the star variety of red wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. The Rioja terms Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva indicate both barrel and bottle time before release. Traditionally blended in Rioja with Garnacha, plus a bit of Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano, the Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero typically stands alone. Somm Secret—Tempranillo claims many different names depending on location. In Penedès, it is called Ull de Llebre and in Valdepeñas, goes by Cencibel. Known as Tinta Roriz in Portugal, Tempranillo plays an important role in Port wine.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.