Bodega del Rio Elorza, Verum Malbec 2023

Cool Soup: 3 days 7 - 8 C Fermentation temperature: 26 - 27 C Maceration time: 20 days Aging: 50 % in French Oak Barrels 1st use 50 % in French Oak Barrels 2nd use Time aging: 18 months Aging in bottle: 12 months

The southernmost region of Argentina with its climatic conditions guarantee the health of the vineyards and an excellent quality of grapes, leading to intense wines, in terms of both colour and aromas. In 2001, the Del Rio Elorza Family purchased a 40 hectare estate in Colonia Lucinda de Fernandez Oro in Alto Valle in the Province of Rio Negro, at 39 degrees south latitude in the Argentine Patagonia, where a vineyard had been planted at the beginning of the 20th century. In 2004, they started to recover the almost 100-year-old grapevines that had been abandoned, and planted with a high density (5,500 plants per hectare) 20 hectares of specially selected clones of Malbec, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay. Aiming to use water in a better and more efficient manner, they set up an automatic drip irrigation system and also a sprinkler irrigation system to actively protect grapevines from frost, which is the only risk factor for production in Patagonia. Now led by young, innovative Argentine winemaker Agustin Lombroni with support from renowned winemaker Hans Vinding Diers (of Bodega Noemia), Del Rio Elorza is now making internationally recognised wines of the highest quality. In his Argentina report Tim Atkin MW highlighted them as one of his Top 25 wineries to Watch and his recent scores include 92 points for their Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc and 91 Points for Verum Malbec.