Product Description
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Bodegas López, Chateau Vieux, Gran Reserva, Chardannay, 2023, Mendoza, Argentina
Producer Profile
The foundations of Bodegas López began in 1886 when José Gregorio López Rivas arrived in Argentina, from Algarrobo in Málaga, Spain, where he grew vineyards and olive trees with his family. He decided to establish his vineyards in Argentina and thus escape a devastating plague, phylloxera, which affected the vines in Europe.
Working and saving his every cent he earned, he managed to bring his brother Rafael, and shortly after, his mother Fernanda and his brothers Federico and Matilde. Far from their land, but together again, their winemaking tradition soon surfaced.
In 1889 the brothers moved to Mendoza, where they rented a small piece of land in General Gutiérrez, Maipú. Under the leadership of José Gregorio, they begin elaborating their wines, produced with their own grapes.
Shortly, the López Rivas brothers managed to establish a solid clientele, which allowed them to formalize their first commercial partnership: José López & Hnos.
In 1934 Bodegas Lopez released one of the great classics Chateau Vieux red and white. The delicate design of the brand’s typography was made by Don José Federico López himself. The Chateau Vieux wines honour the ancient French castles where high-end wines were first made. These wines represent tradition and know-how at its best. Released to the market in 1934, they were the first Premium Wines of Bodegas López. They are gastronomic, versatile, softened by the passage of time, and with tertiary aromas and flavours.
Viticulture
This privileged area has a particular microclimate of dry summers, with warm, sunny days and cool nights. The marked thermal amplitude favours the development of the grapes, providing a great concentration of aromas and optimal health.
Cruz de Piedra, Mendoza. Cultivated in 1993, at 870 masl. 4,600 plants per hectare and yields of 10,000 k/ha. Drip irrigation.
Agrelo, Mendoza. Cultivated in 1957, at 950 meters above sea level. 4600 plants per hectare and yields o f 10,000 k/ha. Drip irrigation.
Alluvial, silty-loam and shallow soil. Traditional low trellis vineyards. High cultivation density; low yield vines that, associated with the varietal purity, allow for high quality grapes. Hand harvested grapes.
Winemaking
Contact is established with the skins, in stainless steel tanks, where the skin maceration takes place at low temperature (8 °C for 24 hours), in order to achieve a greater concentration of aromas and flavours typical of the variety. Subsequently, the musts drain by gravity without external pressure, full of aromas (released from the skins) and ferment in stainless steel tanks at low temperature (15 °C). Once the fermentation is finished, it clarifies, stabilizes at temperatures of (-2 °C) and is filtered. Conservation is carried out in stainless steel tanks.
Tasting Note
Pale yellow in colour, with greenish flashes. Its fermentation at low temperatures will highlight the aromas of tropical fruits and apple.
Ideal to pair with red meats, pastas and cheeses.
Cellaring
While Bodegas Lopez is known for its aged red wines, the Château Vieux Chardonnay is crafted for fresh and fruity expression and is not intended for long-term cellaring. You should drink it within 2–3 years of its vintage date.
Don’t just take our word for it
“Even its fans aren’t always aware that Bodegas López produces a pretty smart Chardonnay as well as its range of impressive mature reds. This combines components from Agrelo and Tupungato and is a spicy, sweetly wooded white with notes of patisserie, shortbread and citrus, a hint of passion fruit and a racy, well-balanced finish. 2025-28.” – 92 POINTS – Tim Atkin MW 2025 Argentina Special Report.
Features
Varieties: Chardonnay 100%
Colour: White
ABV: 13%
Closure: Natural cork
Style: Still Wine
Case Size: 6 x 75cl
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Vintage: 2023
