2019 MALBEC, Apelacion Vista Flores, Zuccardi. Uco Valley, Argentina

Vista Flores is a sub-region of the Uco Valley, is the best-know of the newer, cooler parts of Mendoza (close to the foothills of the Andes).

100% Malbec, aged in a mixture of concrete and old wood.

Originally from Italy, like so many Argentinian wine producers, the Zuccardi family first planted vineyards in 1963. Sebastian Zuccardi is the current leader and is obsessed by the aim of producing wines of purity, that reflect both the purity of the relevant variety/ies and the character of the vineyard. He has re-built the whole winery and replaced most oak and steel containers with concrete, believing this is the material best suited for for his purposes.

Lovely balance of intensity and delicacy. Zuccardi make ‘modern’ wines, lacking the heavy, rather rustic power of traditional styles, but not sacrificing any ripeness or drinkability.