Zuccardi Poligonos Gualtallary Cabernet Franc

Tasting note Zuccardi Poligonos Gualtallary Cabernet Franc

An elegant and refined Cabernet Franc from Gualtallary, originating from the high-altitude vineyards of the Uco Valley. The nose reveals red cherries, black currants, and plums, complemented by characteristic notes of wild herbs, violets, and a touch of tobacco. As the wine opens up, subtle peppery and mineral nuances also emerge.

On the palate, the wine is juicy, fresh, and tightly structured. The ripe red and dark fruit is supported by lively acidity and fine, firm tannins. The typical spiciness of Cabernet Franc gives the wine extra character, while the calcareous soil provides a distinct mineral tension. The finish is long, fresh, and refined, with notes of cherry, herbs, and graphite.

Food Pairing

Zuccardi Poligonos Gualtallary Cabernet Franc is a versatile food wine due to its fresh acidity, spiciness, and fine tannins. It pairs excellently with grilled beef, lamb, ribeye, and Argentine steak.

Other information

The name Polígonos refers to the philosophy behind this series. Zuccardi aims with these wines not just to showcase the grape, but above all the identity of a specific place. The various vineyards are, as it were, separate "polygons" on the map of the Uco Valley, each with its own climate, soil, and history.

Gualtallary is located at the foot of the Andes and has a high-altitude, arid climate. There is plenty of sun during the day, while the nights cool down significantly. This allows the grapes to ripen slowly while retaining their natural acidity.

The soil here is just as interesting. Beneath a layer of sand, there is gravel, caliche, and plenty of calcareous material. It is precisely these calcareous soils that contribute to the mineral, energetic style of this Malbec.

The grapes are fermented with indigenous yeasts in concrete vats. The wine then matures in used, untoasted 500-liter French oak barrels and large 2,500-liter foudres. As a result, the influence of oak remains relatively subtle, and the focus is on fruit, spiciness, and terroir.

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 1963 in Maipú, 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 achieve top ratings, with some even reaching 100 Parker points.

Wine scores/awards

• 94 points – James Suckling
• 94 points – Vinous
• 93 points – Tim Atkin
• 93 points – Descorchados

Fun fact

Cabernet Franc is often associated with France, but at an altitude of over 1,300 meters in the Andes, the grape takes on a character all its own. The combination of intense sun during the day and cool temperatures ensures that the grapes ripen slowly and retain their natural freshness.