2016 Familia Zuccardi, Finca Piedra Infinita Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley 3x75cl

JancisRobinson.com

The Piedra Infinita vineyard surrounds Zuccardi s striking winery and sits upon a rocky alluvial fan. These grapes were selected from parcels with 20-60 cm of sandy loam topsoil over stony, calcareous subsoils. 2016 was a relatively cool year and the wettest vintage in Mendoza in the last 30 years (though note this wine still clocks in at 14.5% abv). Fermented in concrete vats, then half the wine was aged in used 500-litre French oak barrels, the remainder in concrete tanks. TA 5.7 g/l, RS 1.7 g/l. Hefty bottle. Deep ruby with hints of garnet towards the rim. The fruit profile is just starting to enter its tertiary phase, with notes of prune and date alongside fresh black cherry and black plum. There are also savoury notes of chocolate, black pepper and a pronounced bloody quality. Fine, well-integrated tannins. It s at a nice stage in its evolution, with a lovely balance of fruit, savour and structure. (JRL)