Matthew Clark two centuries and counting

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Argentina Salentein Salentein Argentina 37
Salentein
José Galante
Winemaker
Established winemaking: Argentina
has been making wine since the 1500s,
tracing its wine heritage back to Spain,
France and Italy, so it is no surprise
that Salentein Estate in the Uco Valley
has roots that extend back to the 17th
century and The Society of Jesus.
Up in the heavens: Not only did the
Jesuits build an estate and farm at
an altitude of 1700 metres above sea
level, they also planted the first vines
on the estate so that they could make
communion wine.
Local support: The goal of this multiaward
winning estate, says Winemaker
José Galante, ‘is to make exceptional
wines while supporting the local people
and community and encouraging local
biodiversity.’
Global knowledge: José Galante
led the Catena Zapata Group for
more than 30 years and worked
alongside numerous international wine
consultants. In the 1990s, he travelled
to the United States to work alongside
Paul Hobbs, now a consultant for
Salentein. Whilst there, José started
on a new path to create superior quality
Argentine wines; to achieve this goal, he
has studied winemaking techniques in
Spain and France.
Environmental approach:
Salentein gained ISO 14001
status in 2010 and vineyard
management is focused
on sustainable viticulture practices.
Native flora is employed as cover
crops and all organic matter resulting
from vineyard and winemaking activities
is returned to the land as natural
fertilisers. The wineries recycle 100%
of the water they use and continue
to make year-on-year energy savings.
Salentein operates a reserve to protect
about 50 hectares of native desert
habitat in pristine condition.
Barrel Selection
25087 Salentein Barrel Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2011/12 75cl 11.74
Ruby-red wine with good aromatic intensity, touches of roasted red pepper followed by a sweetness given by the red and black fruits and
vanilla from ageing in French and American oak barrels. Round, soft palate, well-structured with fine tannins and generous fruit flavours.
BRONZE (2013) Sommelier Wine Awards 2015
25088 Salentein Barrel Selection Malbec, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2014/15 75cl 11.74
Deep red-purple coloured wine; very intense nose with notes of ripe blackberry, Blueberry and redcurrant, with subtle hints of violet.
The silky palate has a crisp, balancing acidity which shows the fruit and floral notes backed by vanilla on the lingering finish. Barrel-aged
for about a year in a mixture of new and seasoned French oak barrels prior to bottling.
Single Vineyard
Elevado
26981 Elevado Sauvignon Blanc-Chardonnay, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2015/16 75cl 6.41
Delicate aromas reminiscent of citrus and tropical fruit, green apple and pineapple; fresh with a touch of richness to the finish. (x)
30022 Salentein Single Vineyard Plot 2 Chardonnay, Uco Valley, Mendoza NEW 2012/13 75cl 22.55
The Chardonnay grapes are sourced from San Pablo estate, which is located over 1,600 metres above sea level in the Uco Valley; the
vineyard was planted in 2002 and the soils are a mixture of loam, sand and boulder, it has excellent drainage and low fertility. The grapes
ripen slowly in this vineyard and are hand-harvested at the optimum moment. Whole clusters were pressed and fermentation takes place
in French oak barrels, the wine was then aged on the lees and a full malolactic fermentation was carried out. Intense and complex with an
outstanding minerally character, citrus notes and hints of jasmine. Its excellent natural acidity makes it elegant, fresh and lingering. Tim Atkin
awarded the 2012 vintage 93 points in his Argentina Report in 2015 and the 2012 vintage won the Best Chardonnay Trophy at the 2015
Argentina Wine Awards.
26982 Elevado Malbec-Merlot, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2015/16 75cl 6.41
A relatively light red with aromas of red fruit including cherry; the palate shows ripe fruit with a touch of spice. (x)
Numina
Portillo
24553 Portillo Malbec Rosé, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2015/16 75cl 8.09
Highly aromatic with its ruby-red hints, this rosé offers up fruit aromas of cherry, strawberry and raspberry. Unoaked, the palate finishes crisply
with lingering fruit notes.
30021 Salentein Numina Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Mendoza NEW 2013/14 75cl 19.35
The grapes are sourced from two El Oasis vineyard plots, planted in 2000. Cold macerated for six days; fermentation was carried out in oak
casks for twelve days and macerated for ten more days. The wine was then racked into oak barrels for the malolactic fermentation and ageing.
The nose displays a very good varietal expression with aromas of blackcurrant, blueberry with spiced notes such as clove and black pepper.
In the mouth; it is unctuous with a gentle attack, with sweet and round tannins, a balanced, yet good acidity and a lingering finish. Tim Atkin
awarded the 2012 vintage 94 points in his Argentina Report in 2015 and the 2011 vintage won the Best Cabernet Franc Trophy at the 2014
Argentina Wine Awards.
26980 Portillo Malbec, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2015/16 75cl 8.09
Ruby-red wine displaying a fresh and fruity nose, enhanced by hints of plum, black berries and a touch of vanilla; fresh fruit flavours, supported
by sweet and round tannins and a good structure.
BRONZE (2014) Sommelier Wine Awards 2015
24554 Portillo Pinot Noir, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2014/15 75cl 8.09
The grapes were grown at over 1,300 metres above sea level on the El Portillo estate; this resulted in a long ripening period and outstanding
levels of maturity. Fruit-forward aromas of fresh, ripe cherry, strawberry and blackberry on a well-balanced youthful palate with soft tannins.
25083 Salentein Numina Malbec-Merlot, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2007 75cl 19.55
Bright purple, vivacious wine endowed with depth and intensity. It has a fresh and sweet nose with a prevalence of red fruits like redcurrant
and touches of black fruits in the background; a spark of violet adds a floral character. The fruit returns on the palate with a deliciously fresh
profile which finishes full with traces of spice. The Malbec and Merlot were aged for 12 months in French oak prior to blending and for a short
period after, in barrel, to integrate.
Primus
25085 Salentein Primus Malbec, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2012/13 75cl 28.80
Intense, complex aroma of red and black berries, spices, such as clove and black pepper; the palate is full-bodied yet remarkably wellbalanced
with plenty of freshness to carry the fruit. The grapes are grown 1,150 metres above sea level on low-yielding vines in the
Finca El Oasis vineyard. Fermented in French oak vats with manual ‘punching-down’ of the caps, then aged for 19 months in French oak;
no fining was carried out.