Matias Riccitelli : Old Vines from Patagonia Sémillon 2024

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Old Vines from Patagonia Sémillon 2024 by Matias Riccitelli

Tasting

Appearance
This wine reveals a yellow hue with greenish highlights, enriched by delicate golden touches.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet proves complex and elegant, blending citrus and white flower scents with subtle notes of vanilla, chamomile and a delicate touch of wax.

Palate
On the palate, the attack offers lovely tension thanks to a firm, perfectly integrated acidity. The texture presents an enjoyable volume without any heaviness. The whole stretches towards a refined, persistent finish marked by an elegant mineral salinity.

Food and Wine Pairing
This vintage will pair wonderfully with seafood platters, delicate fish or scallops. It will also enhance poultry and white meats in a light sauce, as well as characterful cheeses such as a blue-veined cheese or a washed-rind cheese.

Serving and Cellaring
With exceptional aging potential, the Old Vines from Patagonia Sémillon 2024 can be kept and enjoyed until around 2054.

The Pure Expression of Patagonian Sémillon by Matias Riccitelli

The Estate
Founded in 2009 in Las Compuertas, in the Mendoza region, the bodega is run by its current owner, Matías Riccitelli. This passionate winemaker has made his mark by showcasing a mosaic of extreme terroirs. The estate spans 20 hectares of old vines in Mendoza and 17 hectares in Patagonia, along the Río Negro. The property's identity is built on preserving an ancient plant heritage and a philosophy of minimal intervention. Matías Riccitelli stands out in particular for his commitment to reviving historic grape varieties and exploring the potential of Argentine cool climates.

The Vineyard
The grapes come from the Rio Negro valley, at the heart of Patagonia. This semi-desert, wind-swept terroir is home to ungrafted vines planted in the late 1960s. Located in the traditional areas of Allen and Ingeniero Huergo, these plots rest on silty and alluvial soils. The vineyard is managed according to strict agroecological principles, with no herbicides or systemic products. Yields are naturally very low, reaching around 5,000 kg per hectare, which promotes exceptional berry concentration.

Winemaking and Aging
The grapes for the Old Vines from Patagonia Sémillon 2024 are hand-harvested during the first week of March, in small 20 kg crates to preserve the integrity of the bunches. After thorough manual sorting, vinification begins with direct pressing of whole clusters. Fermentation takes place using indigenous yeasts in French oak foudres, at a controlled temperature of between 16 and 18°C. The wine is then aged in these same foudres for eight months. A notable feature of this vintage is that the blend includes 15% of Sémillon aged under a veil of flor since 2015, adding an extra dimension to this wine.

Grape Variety
100% Sémillon