Petit CARO
The vintage
This vintage 2022 was a dry vintage with an easy going season which helped to achieve the characteristic expression of Mendoza's high altitude vineyards. Bud break took place early October, as usual, and so did flowering in the second half of November. In the Uco Valley area, the harvest began with Malbec on March 21 and ended with Cabernet Sauvignon on April 7. Average temperatures were above historical average temperatures from September to January and slightly below in February, March and April. Regarding rainfall, they were lower than the historical averages for the vegetative period. These conditions allowed us to obtain healthy grapes with the ideal ripeness.
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 red color with ruby highlights.
The nose is complex with notes of red fruit and figs, followed by aromas of blackcurrant.
On the palate the wine is round with soft tannins. It is well balanced, showing length and a good persistence on the finish.
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