Download Complete Production Notes

In the remote upper reaches of Argentina’s Uco Valley on the eastern slopes of the Andes, Bodegas Salentein produces a remarkable collection of wines from vineyards planted at some of the highest elevations on the planet. From this lofty outpost, 65 miles south of the bustling city of Mendoza, Argentina’s winemaking capital, Bodegas Salentein (Sah-len-tyne) has started to forge an international reputation for its fine wines. Each year, growing numbers of curious wine lovers are drawn to this spectacular location, intent on discovering and experiencing the beauty and ethos of Bodegas Salentein for themselves.

Bodegas Salentein is a wine destination like no other. Established in the late 1990s, Salentein is a privately-owned estate of almost 5,000 acres, of which 1,124 acres are planted to vine. The property includes a world-class winery and cellars, a 125-acre nature preserve, the showpiece Killka Center for Culture and the Arts, a nearby lodge (the Posada Salentein, offering an elegant and relaxed retreat into nature), and the landmark Chapel of Gratitude, a non-denominational chapel of ascetic loveliness, built using ancient local stonework techniques.

Production Area
The grapes for this varietal are grown on La Pampa estates. Uco Valley renders this varietal with notably high quality, resulting from the right choice of terroir.

Grape Varieties
100% Pinot Noir

Vinification
100% hand-harvested grapes. As soon as the grapes arrived at the winery, the clusters were selected, and a gentle de-stemming was performed, followed by a selection of the berries (no grape crushing was performed). From the selection table, the berries were directly taken to a 450 kg hopper, and mixed with dry ice to lower their temperature, and to permit the dissolution of color and the creation of fruit aromas. Then they were transferred directly to the stainless steel tanks, without using pumps. As the berries arrived in the fermentation tank, a slight carbonic semi-maceration took place from 3 to 5 days at 46-50ºF. Select yeasts were inoculated, and fermentation was done at controlled temperatures between 75-80ºF for 8 days. Daily pumping over and manual trampling of the cap were performed, very softly until the end of fermentation. There was no maceration, and the wine was racked to first and second-use French oak barrels, where malolactic fermentation took place. The wine was barrel-aged from 10 to 12 months. It was bottled at least six months prior to release.

Color
Ruby red

Bouquet
Subtle aromas of dried cherries, roasted almonds, vanilla and a touch of tobacco

Taste
Lush and powerful, this well-structured wine reveals the perfect balance of its soft and sweet tannins. The pure pleasure of this Pinot is experienced through its long finish.

Alcohol
14.5%

Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this wine with every course from grilled salmon through a dessert of chocolate mousse.