Zuccardi Poligonos Gualtallary Malbec

Tasting Note Zuccardi Poligonos Gualtallary Malbec

The wine has a deep purple-red color and opens with a sophisticated scent of ripe black cherries, plums, and blackcurrants. Behind this, beautiful floral notes of violets and subtle aromas of dried herbs, pepper, and graphite emerge. The calcareous soil of Gualtallary provides a recognizable mineral impression.

On the palate, this Malbec is full and concentrated, yet remarkably fresh and energetic. The dark fruit is carried by vibrant acidity and fine, almost chalky tannins. As the wine opens up, notes of plum, blackberry, black cherry, spices, and fresh herbs come to the fore. The structure is firm yet elegant and gives the wine great length.

Food & Wine

Zuccardi Poligonos Gualtallary Malbec is an excellent companion to grilled beef, lamb, Argentinian steak, stews, and firm cheeses. Thanks to its fresh acidity, this is also a wine that pairs exceptionally well with richer, fattier dishes.

Additional information

The name Polígonos refers to the philosophy behind this series. Zuccardi aims with these wines not only 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, dry climate. There is plenty of sun during the day, while nights cool down significantly. This allows the grapes to ripen slowly while retaining their natural acidity.

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

Also notable is the way the wine is made: the grapes are fermented with indigenous yeasts in concrete vats and then aged further in concrete. Therefore, no new oak is involved. As a result, the expression of grape and terroir remains the central focus.

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 acclaimed 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.

Wine scores/awards

James Suckling - 94 points (2023)
Tim Atkin - 94 points (2023)
James Suckling - 94 points (2022)
Tim Atkin - 94 points (2022)
Descorchados 94 points (2022)
James Suckling - 95 points (2021)
Robert Parker - 94 points (2021)
Wine Spectator - 91 points (2021)
Tim Atkin - 94 points (2020)

Fun fact

This Malbec comes from vineyards at an altitude of approximately 1,360 meters. That might sound extreme, but it is precisely the combination of bright sunshine during the day and cold nights that ensures the grapes ripen slowly and retain their freshness. The result is a Malbec that, in addition to power, also possesses remarkable tension and elegance.