Petit CARO
The vintage
The season started out a little late. We had few nights of frost during spring, and they did not damage the buds. Spring was mostly characterized by wet and cold conditions, which led to delayed growth. Overall, flowering and fruit set were good. During the summer, especially in January and February, temperatures were uncommonly lower than average and without the usual heatwaves that characterize the Mendoza climate. The ripeness period was marked by rainfalls: intermittent showers alternating with sunny days characterized this final period before harvesting. These conditions during maturity required the winegrowers to monitor the development of mildew or botrytis, in order to correctly anticipate the decision to harvest.
Location
Nestled at the foothills of the snowcapped Andes mountains, Mendoza is known as the best wine producing region in Argentina. With vines planted on high plateaux between 800 and 1500m above sea level, Mendoza's vineyards are known as the highest in the world. Sheltered from the rain by the mountains to the West and the Pampa to the East, the region is very arid. Mendoza wines draw their character from an exceptional sun exposure and wide temperature variations between night and day.
Terroir
Petit CARO shares the same style as his big brother CARO, combining power and elegance.
Grapes are sourced from selected plots of old vines in Lujan de Cuyo just outside Mendoza, and also from Altamira, further South. In Lujan de Cuyo, soils are quite varied depending on how close vineyards are to the mountains or to the Mendoza River, and tend to form alluvial layers of loam, rock, and gravel. In Altamira, vineyards are planted at 1000m above sea level, on the ancient alluvial bed of the Tunuyan River.
Winemaking
Harvest is conducted by hand and grapes are carefully sorted on tables and destemmed before being placed in stainless steel tanks for fermentation. Regular pumping-over ensure a gentle extraction of the tannins.
After malolactic fermentation 50% of the wine is transfered into French oak barrels for a period of 12 months and 50% is aged in concrete vats.
Grapes
Tasting
Deep velvety red color with intense ruby hues.
Very fruity and fresh on the nose, followed by aromas of red fruit, strawberry and black currant.
On the palate, the wine is long, well Balanced and pleasant, with refined tannins. Displaying generous aromas of red berries.
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