Zuccardi Fosil

Tasting Notes Zuccardi Fosil

The aroma reveals notes of citrus, green apple, white peach, and pear, complemented by floral tones and a distinct mineral impression. As the wine opens up, subtle nuances of herbs, wet stone, and flint emerge.

On the palate, the wine is crisp, fresh, and mineral, with a beautiful tension and great length. The ripe white fruit is supported by lively acidity and an almost saline minerality. The wine simultaneously possesses sufficient structure and texture to make it gastronomically interesting.

Notably, the fruit does not overpower. It is precisely the combination of freshness, minerality, fine structure, and subtle creaminess that makes this Chardonnay particularly refined. The finish is long, dry, and energetic, with citrus, white fruits, and a lightly saline, chalky finale.

In short: a very elegant Chardonnay that is more about terroir, tension, and precision than about much wood or a heavy, creamy character.

Wine & Food Pairing

Zuccardi Botánico Fosil is a versatile accompaniment to a variety of dishes. It pairs excellently with oysters, shellfish, grilled or baked fish, salmon, and tuna. The wine also shines with chicken in a creamy sauce, soft or aged cheeses, and a creamy mushroom risotto. A surprisingly beautiful combination is ceviche: the wine's fresh acidity and mineral tension perfectly complement the fresh citrus and saline character of the dish.

Other information

The name Fosil refers to the unique soil in which the grapes grow. The San Pablo vineyards are located at high altitudes and have a soil rich in limestone and fossil deposits. These soils originated from sediments deposited millions of years ago.

Precisely this chalky soil is an important part of the wine's style. It gives the Chardonnay great tension, minerality, and freshness, while the high altitude ensures that the grapes can ripen slowly.

Zuccardi deliberately limits the influence of wood in Fosil. The wine is fermented and aged in concrete eggs and large, used French oak barrels, keeping the fruit and terroir at the forefront.

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 barely 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 world-renowned for its quality. Zuccardi has been repeatedly named Best Vineyard in South America, and their wines consistently achieve top ratings, with some even reaching 100 Parker points.

Awards/Distinctions

The Zuccardi Fósil Chardonnay is internationally highly acclaimed. The 2023 vintage received 97 points from Vinous, 94 points from James Suckling, and 93 points from Wine Advocate. Earlier vintages also show an impressive series of scores, with a remarkable 97 points from Vinous for the 2022.

Fun Fact

The name Fosil is literally inspired by fossils found in the soil of San Pablo. While you don't literally taste them, the chalky, fossil-rich soil contributes to the mineral and saline character of this Chardonnay.