argentina / MENDOZA / BODEGA PI EDRA NEGRA / ALTA C OLEC C ION
ARGENTINA 2012 MENDOZA
Bodega Piedra Negra Alta Colección
Bonarda VARIETIES
100% Bonarda – A variety originally from Piedmont, Italy, it is now considered to be an autochthonous variety in Argentina. Having long been thought of as a variety to be used only in blended wines, it is now one of the most popular varietal wines, and is the second most widely-grown grape in Argentina. It produces very harmonious wines with aromas of black fruits, cedar and fern.
VINTAGE 2012
We had a normal winter, without too much frost followed by a warm spring. During the flowering season in November, the region of Mendoza was hit by a strong wind, Zonda, the aftereffect of local Foehn winds. Depending on the grape variety and its phonological state, the wind may have affected the flowering and had an incident on the yield, lower than usual for the moment. In the Uco Valley, nearly all of our Malbec plots were touched by this warm and dry wind, which resulted in a decrease in yields and moreover in the weight of each bunch. Overall it has been an exceptionally healthy year, with very little summer rain.
tasting note Color intense red-ruby Flavors of red fruits and mint. Red fruit aromas, menthol and liquorice notes.
suggestion Ideal with pasta, white meat, beef ragout and mild cheeses.
15 - 16°c 1 - 2 years
ANALYSIS alcohol content ph total acidity volatile acidity residual sugar
We have been looking into the Bonarda variety since we arrived in Argentina what allowed us to select bit by bit the vineyards that give the best grapes. Our grapes mature in the hot zone of Mendoza in the Barrancas vineyards – They are generally picked over ripe.
12,9 % vol 3,82 5,13 g/l H2SO4 0,51 g/l H2SO4 2,1 g/l
VINEYARD Terroir :
These grapes come from our Finca Alcayata in the Barrancas Maipú region. The grapes ripen slowly on clayey soils. The minerality of which gives this wine the complexity and the harmony of its flavours and aromas. Density : 4500 vines/ha. Climate : Continental semi desert characterised by light frost and high level of sunshine - Average annual rainfall of 200 mm essentially concentrated in summer – High temperature range day/night (10 °C at night – 40 °C during the day in summer). Average age of the vines : 10 years. Yield : 70 - 80 hl/ha. Localisation : We started looking into the Bonarda variety as soon as we arrived in Argentina and progressively selected the vineyards offering the best grapes. Our grapes ripen in the warm part of Mendoza in the vineyards of our Barrancas estate. They are generally picked when very ripe.
WINEMAKING
Harvest : The grapes were picked ripe in order to
maximise this variety’s fruity characteristies. Mechanical harvest, at night, to take advantage of the cool temperatures. Winemaking : Destemming, cold maceration, alcoholic fermentation at low temperature.
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