Domaine Nico 'La Savante' Pinot Noir 2023

This profound and meticulously structured red wine originates from Argentina, within the Uco Valley region of Mendoza and the high-altitude district of Gualtallary. Domaine Nico is a specialized, pioneering project from the Catena family, founded by Dr. Laura Catena out of her deep fascination with exploring the extreme limits of high-altitude terroirs for Pinot Noir. The estate follows a winemaking philosophy focused on extreme parcel precision and site transparency, naming this specific bottling 'La Savante' or the scholar to denote its serious, intellectual precision. The fruit is sourced exclusively from a tiny, 1.44-hectare plot inside the Adrianna Vineyard, originally planted in 1994 on soils layered with boulder debris and dispersed calcium carbonate.

Wine Description

Domaine Nico 'La Savante' Pinot Noir presents a translucent, medium ruby-red appearance in the glass. Its sensory profile is incredibly fragrant and high-toned, unfolding subtle yet enveloping aromas of rose petals and fresh red fruits alongside complex notes of earthy thyme, rosemary, black pepper, and sweet clove. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, racy, and slender, showcasing an adventurous core of red berries, cherries, and garrigue herbs. It is characterized by its outstanding, mouthwatering acidity and an angular, chalky texture driven by incisive yet velvety tannins. The finish is exceptionally long and crystalline, balancing a fine varietal austerity with juicy succulence, integrated oak, and persistent notes of wet stones and savory herbs. This 100% Pinot Noir reached an alcohol content (ABV) of 13.5%. The fruit was fermented with roughly 40% whole clusters in 600-litre roll fermenters before maturing in French oak barriques, only 10% of which were new. While the vineyard is cultivated with absolute respect for the natural environment, this bottling is not certified organic.