Zuccardi Botanico Chardonnay

Tasting Note Zuccardi Botánico Chardonnay

The Zuccardi Botánico Chardonnay opens with refined aromas of white peach, acacia honey, citrus zest, and subtle herbal characteristics; think of warm thyme and flowers such as acacia. On the palate, it is full and complex, with a distinct minerality and beautiful tension: crisp acidity, mineral notes from chalky soil, and a slightly oily texture combine to create an elegant, long finish. The wine is ready to drink now, but those with patience can let it age for a few more years.

Food & Wine

Zuccardi Botánico Chardonnay pairs well with many dishes, such as grilled or pan-fried salmon with a butter sauce or light 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 mushroom risotto, and finally vegetarian dishes with creamy sauces or roasted vegetables.

Other 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 hardly possible 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 globally renowned for its quality. Zuccardi has been named Best Vineyard in South America multiple times, and their wines consistently receive top ratings, even reaching peaks of 100 Parker points.

The wine is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, which are pressed directly and fermented with indigenous yeasts in concrete vats. No malolactic fermentation takes place, which preserves the natural acidity. This wine undergoes a limited form of wood aging, but to a limited extent. For the 2022 vintage, for example, 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 chalky, sandy soils with many stones and caliche layers, which provides pronounced minerality and sharp differences between day and night temperatures; this slows the ripening of the grapes, allowing them to develop aromas without becoming overripe.

Wine scores/awards

• Falstaff: 97 points for the 2023 vintage
• Tim Atkin: for the 2022 version – 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 vines. This natural environment, together with the chalky soil and high altitude, contributes to the fresh, herbal, and mineral character of this exceptional Chardonnay.