Zuccardi Polígonos Gualtallary Cabernet Franc 2024

Zuccardi is one of Mendoza's leading producers, and its Poligonos range bottles single districts of the Uco Valley to show how each site tastes. This wine comes from Gualtallary, a cool, high altitude sub zone in the Tupungato area planted on poor, stony soils with patches of chalk and calcareous rock. The elevation, well above a thousand metres, gives wide swings between hot days and cold nights, a diurnal range that lets Cabernet Franc ripen slowly, holding acidity and locking in the variety's herbal, peppery aromatics rather than baking them out. The rocky, low vigour ground naturally restricts yields and pushes minerality into the wine. Fermentation is followed by ageing in oak, which adds structure and a light spice frame while leaving the fruit and site character in front. The wine is deep and structured, with red currant, black cherry, dried herbs and cracked pepper over a chalky, earthy core, finishing long and firm. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees, decanting young bottles. It suits grilled red meat and earthy dishes.