Familia Schroeder Saurus Barrel Fermented Malbec

Producer
Familia Schroeder’s winery and the surrounding vineyards are located in San Patricio del Chañar, Patagonia at the heart of the southernmost wine region of Argentina. The winery’s building, perched on a gentle slope that dominates the vineyards, with an architecture that blends naturally with the surroundings, takes advantage of the differences of level, allowing a gravity flown winemaking. When construction began to build the winery, a dinosaur was unearthed and in tribute to this 75-million-year giant, the name Saurus was given in tribute! Located at 39’ Latitude South in San Patricio del Chanar near Neuquen the Schroeder vineyards are planted on gravelly soils and combined with warm days and cool nights provide near perfect conditions for grape cultivation.

Region
Patagonia is the most southerly wine producing region of Latin America, lying to the south of Mendoza and las Pampas. With considerable new investment, Argentinian Patagonia is fast emerging as the country`s most exciting cool climate vineyard, making elegant wines with balance and complexity in contrast to the more heavier reds of Mendoza. The region includes two important wine producing provinces, Neuquen beneath the Andes, and the Rio Negro towards the Atlantic Ocean. These are semi-arid, alluvial desert vineyards which benefit from constant sun and breezes that help mitigate disease. The vines can produce cool climate varieties including Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc with good aroma and concentration as well as perfect levels of acidity.

Tasting Notes
This Malbec comes from the so-called `Alto Valle Selection` and is carefully selected from the best blocks of the vineyards. Fermentation in subtlety toasted new oak barrels gives full ripened fruit aromas with strong plum and cassis gently backed with floral and spiced nuances. This is a firm, well structured wine with hints of vanilla and chocolate, a soft and full mouth feel with a long lingering finish.