Zuccardi Finca Piedra Infinita Altamira 2013
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
If the 2012 was impressive, the 2013 Finca Piedra Infinita is otherworldy! This comes form one very specific plot of 10-year-old vines planted at 7,000 plants per hectare in a section that was never planted in Altamira, a difficult section, with a very stony soils. Being virgin soils the roots go down very quickly and deep. This is also the chalkier part of Altamira. There is high finesse here, pure, with more tension than in 2012. The nose is subtle, with the violets and the blueberries but also an herbal part, a vegetal side of aromatic herbs and also some subtle minerality. This is more restrained than exuberant. The finish is mineral, tasty and to the point of being almost salty, with tannins that remind you of pure chalk. The soil sensation here is greater than in the Aluvional Altamira and that's the main difference between the wines. This certainly goes beyond Malbec. They produced some 2,500 liters of wine here, so around 3,000 bottles were filled.
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James Suckling
Subtle and complex with tile, dried flower and dark fruit aromas. Full body, very fine tannins and a fresh fruity finish. Lightly austere in a fantastic way. Bitter orange peel. A selection of the best parts of this vineyard. Drink now or hold. 350 cases made.
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Wine Spectator
A powerful and refined red, showing plenty of sanguine notes to the dark plum, cherry and dark currant flavors. Accents of dried beef emerge midpalate, with a long, minerally finish studded with white pepper hints. Drink now through 2021.
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A few years before 1950, Ing. Alberto Zuccardi reaches Mendoza from his homeland in Tucuman where their great-grandparents had settled upon arriving in the Italian region of AveIino. In 1963, Alberto implanted a vineyard in the region of Maipu not knowing that it would begin the great passion of his life, the wine industry. In 1990, his son, Jose Alberto Zuccardi, assumed the General Director of the company.
In 2005, Sebastian Zuccardi, third generation of the family, lead the development of the new stage of the wines of the winery expansion into the Uco Valley. On his initiative, since 2008 the winery has an area of Research and Development dedicated to the study of the terroir and the different variables that affect wine production. In 2013 the construction of the new Zuccardi winery in the Uco Valley began. It opened in March 2016 with the premise of producing wines with identity, through the continuous exploration of the different terroirs of the Uco Valley.
The Zuccardi family’s approach to sustainability starts with the environment and people before any product. They’re dedicated to producing the highest quality wines through sustainable practices such as a focus on nurturing biodiversity, organic farming, efficient irrigation practices, composting, water treatment, comprehensive waste and recycling efforts, and the use of solar energy. The winery itself is designed to be naturally energy efficient by maximizing natural light and minimizing electricity consumption. Its concrete walls fulfill the function of a thermal insulator, the movements of liquid are caused by gravity and the concrete-designed vessels allow for a natural control of the temperature of the wine. As a third generation family-owned winery, the Zuccardi’s take seriously their responsibility to protect the environment, support the land, the farmers and uplift the local community. Through building schools, offering free education, fostering equality, banning child labor, and subsidizing health care, they’re not only elevating their wines and the Uco Valley as a world class wine region, but also giving the people who have contributed to their success a path forward and upward mobility for their own families.
Celebrated for its bold flavors and supple texture, Malbec has enjoyed runaway success in Argentina since the late 20th century. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, where it historically contributed color and tannin to blends. A French agronomist, who saw great potential for the variety in Mendoza’s hot, high-altitude landscape, brought Malbec to Argentina in 1868. Somm Secret—If you’re trying to please a crowd, Malbec is generally a safe bet with its combination of dense fruit and soft tannins.
With a winning combination of cool weather, high elevation and well-draining alluvial soils, it is no surprise that Mendoza’s Uco Valley is one of the most exciting up-and-coming wine regions in Argentina. Healthy, easy-to-manage vines produce low yields of high-quality fruit, which in turn create flavorful, full-bodied wines with generous acidity.
This is the source of some of the best Malbec in Mendoza, which can range from value-priced to ultra-premium. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay also perform well here.