2021 Familia Zuccardi, Botanico, Chardonnay, Gualtallary, Uco Valley, Argentina
Critics reviews
The new white 2021 Botánico comes from their two vineyards in the Monasterio part of Gualtallary, the informal division of the zone (still not approved due to bureaucratic problems with the name), and is a lieu-dit or paraje wine. This is very austere, sharp and mineral, reminiscent of a Chablis.
This was harvested very early, almost one month earlier than the Fósil from San Pablo, as Gualtallary ripens earlier. It fermented and matured 70% in concrete eggs and 30% in used 500-liter oak barrels; but there is no aromatic or flavor influence from the oak, as they want to keep the wine as transparent as possible with the character from the soils—limestone and caliche calcareous stone.
This has 13% alcohol, a pH of 3.23 and 7.36 grams of acidity. It's clean, precise, subtle, elegant, transparent, balanced and symmetric ,with purity and clarity. It has a shaper palate with effervescent sensation of chalk with lemon juice, with lots of energy. This should develop nicely in bottle. I'd like to have a time machine to see what this does at age 15... 5,000 bottles were filled in December 2021. I had the chance to taste the still unbottled 2022, and it felt every bit as good as this.
Drink 2022 - 2029
Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate (November 2022)
Smells very different from the Fósil, more herbal, like wild grasses on a citrus foundation. More grapefruit than lemon. Bone dry, chewy and with mouth-watering intensity. Lots of potential as the vines age.
Drink 2022 - 2024
Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com (September 2022)
The 2021 Chardonnay Botánico from Gualtallary, Uco Valley, was 50% aged in concrete, 50% in old 500-liter barrels. A light golden yellow in hue. The nose presents apple and creamed corn with hints of herbs and subtle woody notes. In the mouth, it starts out broad before the flow is tightened up by the precise freshness, which also enhances the flavor. Long-lasting with a fruity finish, this is very much a high-altitude Chardonnay.
Drink 2022 - 2031
Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous.com (August 2022)
About this WINE
Familia Zuccardi
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is often seen as the king of white wine grapes and one of the most widely planted in the world It is suited to a wide variety of soils, though it excels in soils with a high limestone content as found in Champagne, Chablis, and the Côte D`Or.
Burgundy is Chardonnay's spiritual home and the best White Burgundies are dry, rich, honeyed wines with marvellous poise, elegance and balance. They are unquestionably the finest dry white wines in the world. Chardonnay plays a crucial role in the Champagne blend, providing structure and finesse, and is the sole grape in Blanc de Blancs.
It is quantitatively important in California and Australia, is widely planted in Chile and South Africa, and is the second most widely planted grape in New Zealand. In warm climates Chardonnay has a tendency to develop very high sugar levels during the final stages of ripening and this can occur at the expense of acidity. Late picking is a common problem and can result in blowsy and flabby wines that lack structure and definition.
Recently in the New World, we have seen a move towards more elegant, better- balanced and less oak-driven Chardonnays, and this is to be welcomed.
Buying options
Add to wishlist
Description
The new white 2021 Botánico comes from their two vineyards in the Monasterio part of Gualtallary, the informal division of the zone (still not approved due to bureaucratic problems with the name), and is a lieu-dit or paraje wine. This is very austere, sharp and mineral, reminiscent of a Chablis.
This was harvested very early, almost one month earlier than the Fósil from San Pablo, as Gualtallary ripens earlier. It fermented and matured 70% in concrete eggs and 30% in used 500-liter oak barrels; but there is no aromatic or flavor influence from the oak, as they want to keep the wine as transparent as possible with the character from the soils—limestone and caliche calcareous stone.
This has 13% alcohol, a pH of 3.23 and 7.36 grams of acidity. It's clean, precise, subtle, elegant, transparent, balanced and symmetric ,with purity and clarity. It has a shaper palate with effervescent sensation of chalk with lemon juice, with lots of energy. This should develop nicely in bottle. I'd like to have a time machine to see what this does at age 15... 5,000 bottles were filled in December 2021. I had the chance to taste the still unbottled 2022, and it felt every bit as good as this.
Drink 2022 - 2029
Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate (November 2022)
wine at a glance
Delivery and quality guarantee