Zuccardi Botanico Chardonnay

Tasting Notes Zuccardi Botánico Chardonnay

The Zuccardi Botánico Chardonnay opens with refined aromas of white peach, acacia honey, citrus zest, and subtle herbal notes; think of warm thyme and flowers like acacia. On the palate, it is full-bodied and complex, with clear minerality and beautiful tension: crisp acidity, mineral notes of calcareous soil, and a slightly unctuous texture combine to form an elegant, long finish. The wine is already enjoyable, but those with patience can let it mature for several more years.

Wine & Food Pairing

Zuccardi Botánico Chardonnay pairs with many dishes, such as grilled or baked salmon with a butter sauce or a lightly creamy lemon sauce. Shellfish and lobster. Chicken dishes with herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage. Soft-ripened cheeses like Brie or Camembert. Dishes with mushrooms or risotto with mushrooms, and finally, vegetarian dishes with creamy sauces or roasted vegetables.

Additional Information

At the end of the 19th century, the Zuccardi family emigrated from Italy to Argentina. In the 1950s, Alberto V. Zuccardi founded an irrigation company, a logical step in a country where agriculture is almost impossible without irrigation. To demonstrate the success of his system, he planted his first vineyards in Maipú in 1963, followed by an expansion near Mendoza. Since 1985, his son José Alberto Zuccardi has led the family business, which is now renowned worldwide for its quality. Zuccardi has been named Best Vineyard in South America multiple times, and their wines consistently receive top ratings, with some even reaching 100 Parker points.

The wine is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, which are pressed directly and ferment with indigenous yeasts in concrete tanks. There is no malolactic fermentation, preserving the natural acidity. This wine undergoes a limited form of oak aging, but to a limited extent. For example, for the 2022 vintage, only about 10% of the grapes were aged in untoasted 500-liter French oak barrels.

The "Botánico" is made at high altitude in Gualtallary Monasterio (approximately 1,360-1,385 meters above sea level). The vineyards are located on calcareous, sandy soils with many stones and caliche layers, which provides pronounced minerality and sharp differences between day and night temperatures, slowing down the ripening of the grapes, allowing them to develop aromas without becoming overripe.

Awards/Accolades

• Falstaff: 97 points for the 2023 vintage
• Tim Atkin: for the 2022 vintage – 97 points; named Best Chardonnay / Wine of the Year.
• James Suckling: 96 points for the 2022 vintage

Fun Fact

The name Botánico refers to the nature surrounding the vineyards in Gualtallary. At an altitude of over 1,300 meters, wild herbs and shrubs grow alongside the grapevines. This natural environment, along with the calcareous soil and high altitude, contributes to the fresh, herbaceous, and mineral character of this special Chardonnay.