Matias Riccitelli : Old Vines from Patagonia Chenin Blanc 2024

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Old Vines from Patagonia Chenin Blanc 2024 by Matias Riccitelli

Tasting

Appearance
The wine displays a luminous hue, ranging from pale yellow to glints reminiscent of light straw or beeswax. As it is unfiltered, it shows a slight, deliberate haziness that reflects its natural winemaking.

Nose
Initially reserved, the bouquet gradually opens up to reveal great complexity. Crisp aromas of green apple, juicy pear, quince and citrus fruit intertwine harmoniously with notes of white flowers and beeswax. Subtle hints of aromatic herbs and wet stone, along with a delicate saline touch, complete this aromatic palette.

Palate
The attack is lively and expressive, revealing generous volume and remarkable balance. The ample texture is accompanied by great freshness and exceptionally fine tannins. Refined bitter notes, evoking oolong tea, carry the palate through to a long, elegant and deeply saline finish.

Food and wine pairing

The estate recommends pairing this wine with sole meunière or goat's cheese. More broadly, its distinctive structure and freshness make it a superb match for grilled fish, seafood, poultry in a light sauce, mildly spiced Asian dishes or roasted root vegetables.

Serving and cellaring

This wine is best served at 10–12°C to fully appreciate its complexity. Blessed with exceptional ageing potential, it can be enjoyed until around 2054, provided it is stored in optimal conditions.

The pure expression of Chenin Blanc in Patagonia by Matías Riccitelli

The estate

Founded in 2009 by Matías Riccitelli, the current owner and winemaker, Riccitelli Wines first established itself in Las Compuertas, in the Mendoza region, on a 20-hectare estate. In 2015, the project expanded into Patagonia with an additional 17 hectares, with the aim of reviving old vines. Renowned for its minimal-intervention approach and its commitment to preserving Argentina's winegrowing heritage, the estate stands out for its precise plot-by-plot vinifications. Here, Matías Riccitelli crafts wines with a strong sense of identity, combining freshness and purity, that celebrate the diversity of high-altitude terroirs and cool climates.

The vineyard

The grapes come from the Isla Grande area, located in the Rio Negro Valley in Patagonia. This unique terroir is characterised by silty soils. The vines, planted in the late 1960s, are farmed according to agroecological principles. No herbicides or systemic products are used in the vineyard plots. Yields are naturally controlled, averaging 5,000 kg/ha, which promotes great aromatic concentration.

Winemaking and ageing

The grapes are harvested by hand into 20 kg crates during the first week of February. After a rigorous manual selection of the bunches prior to vinification, the grapes are whole-bunch pressed directly. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts in French oak foudres, at a controlled temperature of 16–18°C. Finally, the wine is aged for 12 months in the same French oak foudres.

Grape variety

100% Chenin Blanc