2014 PerSe Francesa Chacayes Gualtallary Uco Valley

The second vintage from this vineyard from Chacayes, the 2014 Francesa is again a field blend of grapes, mostly Malbec, but with some Bonarda, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and other grapes, a mixture that the locals used to call Francesa (French). It has a wild, herbal side in the shape of aromatic herbs and an earthy twist. 2014 was a cold and wet year in the Chacayes zone of the Valle de Uco, and the harvest in this part at 1,100-1,200 meters altitude started in early April. The grapes were destemmed and fermented in open 300-kilo bins with indigenous yeasts and a daily pigeage with a total maceration time of 35 days. Initially shy, the Per Se style is more reductive than oxidative and takes some time to open up. It's wild and with personalty, with the thyme you find in the country. This is more on the elegant side and more about subtleness than power. The wine matured in used French oak barrels for 16 months and was bottled unfiltered in January 2016. It has an amazing texture, superb fine tannins, with great balance and harmony. This is all about finesse. Only 624 bottles were produced in 2014. This wine was not produced in 2015, because they had hail in the zone, so the next vintage will be 2016.