Zuccardi Aluvional Gualtallary, 2018
Regular price £89.00
EXCELLENT STRUCTURE & VERY LONG FINISH
Capturing the essence of Gualtallary’s terroir, this 100% Malbec is harvested from old vines grown in alluvial soils. Fermented in concrete vats, it is then aged first in barrel and then in concrete vats. The nose expresses red and black fruit characters with notes of blackberry, cherry and plum complemented by fresh herbal and violet notes.
The palate is juicy, with a lively acidity, mineral texture and elegant tannins.
Awards:
RP Robert Parker 98 2018
JS James Suckling 96 2018
Harvest: 2018
Alcohol: 14.5%
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.
Criado Wines offers a nationwide delivery service through UPS, and our own delivery service which is sustainable (using hybrid vehicles). Deliveries are typically made within 24 hours; however we only guarantee a 48 hour service. Deliveries do not take place on weekends, operating only Monday to Friday. For all orders placed between 13:00 Friday and Sunday, delivery will only take place on Tuesday. Goods must be received by a person 18 years of age or older. Where any of our drivers are in doubt as to the age of the person receiving the goods, they reserve the right to request proof of age and / or retain the goods until they can be received by a person of or above the legal age to purchase alcohol. For UK deliveries we use UPS International, please be aware of paying duties on arrival.
Shipping Fees
Ireland Standard Rate
€ 9.5 for orders under €100
Free for orders above €100
UK Standard Rate
€ 25.00 * (Custom Tax not included)
Europe Standard Rate
€ 25.00 (Custom Tax not included)
* Please note that this is just the delivery Fee. UK deliveries are subject to duty payment on arrival. The receiver (customer) it's responsible for the payments of the correspondent duties.
Cancellation of Orders, Returns & Refunds
You can cancel your order at any stage up to the point of dispatch at no charge. Simply contact us by phone on +353 833 868 004 in Ireland or email info@criadowines.com When contacting us, please provide us with your order number, as per displayed on your order confirmation. You are entitled to a cooling-off period of 7 working days, which begins on the day after you receive delivery of your order. During the cooling-off period, you may cancel your order for any reason. Upon cancellation, we will make the necessary arrangements to facilitate the return of the order and will reimburse you within 30 days. While we are more than happy to help if you wish to return goods that are not faulty or damaged, you will be responsible for any costs incurred in returning the goods. In the unfortunate case of goods being faulty or damaged in transit, Criado Wines offer the choice of either a replacement or a full refund including any delivery charges incurred. Simply contact us by phone or email (details above) and we’ll take care of the rest!
