Matias Riccitelli Old Vines From Patagonia Rio Negro Bastardo 2022

The Bastardo grapes come from the traditional vine-growing sites of Allen and Ing Heuergo in the province of Rio Negro, Patagonia, approximately halfway between the Andes Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. Situated on the 39° latitude south, the sunlight exposure is more intense than in northern areas, but the nights are much colder at this latitude. This daily diurnal temperature range is excellent for producing quality grapes; the nightly cooling-off extends the ripening period, allowing the grapes to develop rich varietal characteristics while retaining balancing acidity. The low-yielding vines were planted at the beginning of the 1970s, and they are ungrafted, allowing for complete interaction between the silty soils and the vine. The vines are cultivated naturally following organic principles, producing wines that are expressive of the terroir and their varietal characteristics. The grapes are hand-harvested once they have reached optimal maturity. The long-forgotten variety of Bastardo is a dark-skinned variety that originated in the Jura, France, and is a synonym for Trousseau.