Product Description
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Bodegas López, Petit Montchenot, Malbec, Cabernet, 2020, 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.
Viticulture
Privileged area that has a particular microclimate of dry summers, with warm, sunny days and cool nights. Notable thermal amplitude that favours the
development of the grapes, reaching a great concentration of aromas.
Cabernet Sauvignon: Cruz de Piedra, Mendoza. Cultivated in 1993, at 870 meters above sea level. 4,600 plants per hectare and yields of 6,000 k/ha. Drip irrigation.
Malbec: Agrelo, Mendoza. Cultivated in 1927, at 1100 meters above sea level. 5,000 plants per hectare and yields of 5,000 k/ha. Furrow irrigation.
Winemaking
Co-fermentation of Malbec from Agrelo and Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipú, manually selected in the vineyard. Fermentation begins with the Malbec, whose skins will remain in permanent contact with the liquid, so that the Cabernet is then extracted only by means of gentle pumping overs, thus avoiding its over-extraction. It is aged for 12 months in 4,000-litre French oak foudres.
Tasting Note
Bright red with brick hues. On the nose, a marked spicy aroma reminiscent of black pepper, cherries, olives, herbs, truffles and leather. On the palate it presents a good structure characteristic of the Cabernet Sauvignon varietal, and a long and smooth finish as a result of its correct evolution.
Ideal for pairing Lasagne, Roasted Lamb, Beef short ribs, Blue Cheese Burger, Mushroom Stuffed Peppers, pork dishes and rich, winter-warming meat stews and hard cheeses.
Cellaring
Bodegas López Petit Montchenot is a blended red wine that typically should be enjoyed shortly after its release, but with some room for a few years of aging.
Don’t take our word for it
94 POINTS – Guia Descorchados
91 POINTS – James Suckling
Features
Varieties: Malbec 50%, Cabernet Sauvignon 50%
Colour: Red
ABV: 14%
Closure: Natural cork
Style: Still Wine
Case Size: 6 x 75cl
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Vintage: 2020
