Andeluna Pasionado Malbec

Producer Note

Founded in 2003, Andeluna produces premium wines of world class recognition. The vineyard covers 70 hectares in the beautiful Uco Valley near Tupungato, one of the best sub-regions of Mendoza. By night you can often see the moon illuminating the magnificent Andes Mountains nearby and the winery has been named after this stunning scene. Situated at an altitude of 1,300 metres, the vineyard produces some of the best fruit in Argentina. Winemaker, Manuel Gonzalez (previously Head Winemaker at Pulenta Estate and Chief Oenologist at Trivento) works alongside Andeluna's wine consultant Hans Vinding Diers to make outstanding wines which have propelled this producer into the global spotlight in a very short space of time. Their Pasionado range is only made in exceptional vintages and rivals some of the great wines of the world.

Vineyard

The grapes come from the vineyard located in Tupungato, which is situated at an altitude of 1,300 metres above sea level. The area is characterised by its great diurnal temperature swings, which encourages aromatic expression and a great intensity of colour in the wine. The vines are irrigated by a drip-water system that regulates and supplies the exact amount of water that the plant needs. Grown in soils which are predominantly alluvial and sandy, the vines undergo strict canopy management in order to reduce the yields.

Winemaking

Manually harvested at dawn, in April when the grapes had reached full phenolic maturity, they were carefully selected by hand, to ensure no green material or imperfect fruit entered the must. Pre-fermentation maceration took place to extract a rich colour, prior to temperature controlled fermentation. Post-fermentation maceration lasted for approximately 10 days to further extract colour, flavour and fine tannins. When this was complete, the wine was racked. It was aged for 12 to 18 months in new French oak barrels and received a minimum of eight months bottle ageing.

Tasting Note

Complex aromas of ripe red fruits and sweet notes of violet are complemented by delicate hints of vanilla, tobacco and a touch of chocolate. A structured, full bodied and aromatic wine, enhanced by rounded sweet tannins and a long-lasting finish.

Serving Suggestion

Ideal with rich, meat stews and barbecued steak

Grape

Malbec 100%