Atamisque Assemblage 2020

Tierras Atamisque is the first winery you reach entering Mendoza's Uco Valley, now run by Frenchman John Du Monceau, who aims for wines of character with balanced alcohol. Assemblage is a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot from vineyards at 1,100 metres and above. At this altitude in the high Andes the intense sunlight ripens the Cabernets fully while cold nights hold acidity and freshness, and the marked diurnal range builds firm, ripe tannin and deep colour. The blend combines the structure and cassis of Cabernet Sauvignon, the herbal, floral lift of Cabernet Franc and the plush fruit of Merlot. It is aged for eighteen months in 225-litre French oak barrels, whose small format gives greater wood contact, adding spice, fine-grained tannin and a slow oxidative rounding of the structure. The colour is deep, opaque ruby. The nose shows blackcurrant, plum and red currant with cedar, dark chocolate and vanilla. The palate is full-bodied and structured, with firm tannin, fresh acidity and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanted. It suits grilled and roast red meats and hard cheeses.