The Heritage Club - March 2021
This month we’re sipping on some Zolo wines.
Zolo Malbec 2019
Producer: Zolo
Winemaker: Carlos Correas
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Grape Varietal: Malbec
Viticulture: 22-year-old vines at an altitude over 3,000 feet all sustainably farmed.
Method: Fermented in stainless steel tanks for approximately 10 to 14 days. Six months in French (90%) and American (10%) oak barrels.
Serving Suggestion: Serve room temperature after 30 minutes of decanting with beef or lamb dishes.
Age: Most Malbec is great in the cellar for 5-10 years, however, this wine is in perfectly good shape as is.
Nose: Dark fruits with a hint of herbaceousness.
Tasting Notes: Ripe red berries provide a nice acidity with gentle tannin, finishing with a hint of dark chocolate.
WHY WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS WINE
Malbec is the essential Argentine wine. These wines receive minimal oak aging which allows the fruity freshness to come through whereas its closest relative, Cabernet Sauvignon, uses oak to provide the signature taste and finish. Luckily for us, the consumer, South American wines provide top-notch value for the quality of the wine.
Zolo is produced at one of the most technologically advanced wineries in Argentina. Owner and President Patricia Ortiz has created a giant in Mendoza exporting lots of delicious and sustainably farmed wines at a more than reasonable price point. A former nephrologist, Ortiz, embraces both the scientific and artistic views to winemaking. Her expertise and skill with both winemaking and hospitality have made her vineyard one of the top tourist destinations in Argentina.
ZOLO TORRONTÉS
Producer: Zolo
Winemaker: Fabian Valenzuela & Jean Claude Berrouet
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Grape Varietal: Torrontés
Viticulture: Sustainably farmed in the high altitude of the Estate Vineyards in Alto Agrelo, Mendoza.
Method: Stainless steel aging.
Serving Suggestion: Serve cold, around 45-55 degrees with spicy dishes.
Age: Enjoy now or store properly for up to 5 years.
Nose: Fresh pineapple and tropical fruits are very present.
Tasting Notes: Bright citrus with notes of lemon, peach, and banana.
WHY WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS WINE
Torrontes is a variety that I am rarely fortunate enough to sample. The variety is fairly unique compared to any of the more common white varietals you may think of. While the wine smells sweet, Torrontes is usually quite dry. These wines provide some of my favorite types of pairings, fresh acidic white wine with spicy foods. More seldomly drank, Torrontes also provides a fabulous price to quality ratio.
This particular wine is special because of the technology used in making it. After the grapes are chilled they go into a pneumatic press with a nitrogen blanketing system (the only press of its kind in Argentina). During the gentle pressing of the grapes, nitrogen is introduced which eliminates all contact with oxygen during the whole process. This process creates vaster aromatic intensity. While this process is fairly in the weeds and for wine nerds, it helps me appreciate this wine for what it is, a beautifully balanced wine crafted by brilliant winemakers embracing an innovative piece of technology.