Zuccardi Poligonos Gualtallary Cabernet Franc

Tasting Notes Zuccardi Poligonos Gualtallary Cabernet Franc

An elegant and refined Cabernet Franc from Gualtallary, sourced from the high-altitude vineyards of the Uco Valley. The nose reveals red cherries, blackcurrants, and plums, complemented by characteristic notes of wild herbs, violets, and a hint 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 vibrant acidity and fine, firm tannins. The typical herbaceousness 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.

Wine & Food

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

Additional Information

The name Polígonos refers to the philosophy behind this series. Zuccardi aims with these wines not only to showcase the grape but especially the identity of a specific place. The different 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, dry climate. There is plenty of sun during the day, while the nights cool down significantly. This allows the grapes to ripen slowly and at the same time retain their natural acidity.

The soil here is at least as interesting. Under a layer of sand, there is gravel, caliche, and a lot 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 tanks. After that, the wine ages in used, untoasted 500-liter French oak barrels and large 2,500-liter foudres. As a result, the influence of wood remains relatively subtle, and the emphasis is on fruit, herbaceousness, 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 without irrigation is hardly possible. 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 achieve top ratings, with some even reaching 100 Parker points.

Awards/Distinctions

• 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 over 1,300 meters above sea level in the Andes, the grape takes on a unique character. The combination of intense sun during the day and cool temperatures ensures that the grapes ripen slowly and retain their natural freshness.