EL MONTANISTA 2024 Viejas Tintas (San Juan, Argentina)

This unique wine hails from 80-year-old vines in the Paraje Hilario, at 1500m elevation in the foothills of the Andes. The soils are quartz-rich colluvium – a mix of  rock types and sediments deposited from the mountains above.

It is a dry red made of a blend of Barbera, Bonarda, Greco Nero, Rabosso Veronese, Cardin, and Freisa. Yes, those ARE Northern Italian varietlas that were brought to Argentina in the 19th century. The cool, bright, arid climate allows for complete ripening. Whole-cluster fermented, this aged in concrete for 7 months before bottling. 

Dark berry jam meets cooling forest vibes. "Totally fascinating."