Zuccardi Poligonos Semillon

Tasting Note Zuccardi Poligonos Semillon

A refined and characterful Sémillon from Tupungato, sourced from the high-altitude vineyards of El Peral in the Uco Valley. The nose reveals citrus, white peach, ripe melon, and dried herbs, complemented by subtle floral notes and a light mineral impression.

On the palate, the wine is full and creamy, yet strikingly fresh. Lively acidity adds tension to the ripe fruit, while notes of lemon, nectarine, and white peach provide a juicy character. These are joined by subtle spicy and slightly earthy nuances. The texture is beautifully rounded, without becoming heavy.

Food Pairing

Zuccardi Poligonos Semillon is a true "food wine" thanks to its combination of freshness, creaminess, and minerality. It pairs excellently with grilled fish, salmon, scallops, shrimp, and other shellfish. It is also wonderful with chicken, veal, dishes with creamy sauces, goat cheese, and roasted vegetables. Furthermore, the fresh acidity holds up well against richer dishes.

Additional Information

The name Polígonos refers to the philosophy behind this series. Zuccardi aims not only to showcase the grape with these wines, 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.

The grapes come from El Peral, a relatively cool area within Tupungato. The vineyards are situated at an altitude of approximately 1,150 to 1,200 meters and are influenced by cold nights. The soil consists of deposits from the Las Tunas River, with various layers of gravel and local limestone.

The grapes are pressed immediately and fermented with natural yeasts. Fermentation and aging take place in 500-liter untoasted French oak barrels. Furthermore, the wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation. This gives it texture and complexity while preserving the natural freshness of Sémillon.

This fits well with the philosophy of the Polígonos series: the wines should above all demonstrate where they come from. Zuccardi does not try to pack as much oak or ripe fruit as possible into the wine, but rather to make the differences between the terroirs of the Uco Valley visible.

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

• 2022 – 95 points, Tim Atkin + Best Sémillon Wine of the Year
• 2022 – 93+ points, Robert Parker / Wine Advocate
• 2022 – 93 points, Vinous
• 2021 – 94 points, James Suckling
• 2023 – 95 points, James Suckling
• 2023 – 92 points, Wine Enthusiast
• 2023 – 92 points, Falstaff

Fun fact

Sémillon is somewhat of a forgotten grape in Argentina. Nevertheless, Zuccardi has made it one of their most interesting terroir wines. This Sémillon also comes from old vines in El Peral, at an altitude of about 1,200 meters.