Familia Zuccardi, 'José Zuccardi' Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, 2017

Overview of the Wine
A few years before 1950, Ing. Alberto Zuccardi reaches Mendoza from his homeland in Tucuman where their great-grandparents had settled upon arriving in the Italian region of AveIino. In 1963, Alberto implanted a vineyard in the region of Maipu not knowing that it would begin the great passion of his life, the wine industry. In 1990, his son, Jose Alberto Zuccardi, assumed the General Director of the company.

In 2005, Sebastian Zuccardi, third generation of the family, lead the development of the new stage of the wines of the winery expansion into the Uco Valley. On his initiative, since 2008 the winery has an area of Research and Development dedicated to the study of the terroir and the different variables that affect wine production. In 2013 the construction of the new Zuccardi winery in the Uco Valley began. It opened in March 2016 with the premise of producing wines with identity, through the continuous exploration of the different terroirs of the Uco Valley.

The Zuccardi family’s approach to sustainability starts with the environment and people before any product. They’re dedicated to producing the highest quality wines through sustainable practices such as a focus on nurturing biodiversity, organic farming, efficient irrigation practices, composting, water treatment, comprehensive waste and recycling efforts, and the use of solar energy. The winery itself is designed to be naturally energy efficient by maximizing natural light and minimizing electricity consumption. Its concrete walls fulfill the function of a thermal insulator, the movements of liquid are caused by gravity and the concrete-designed vessels allow for a natural control of the temperature of the wine. As a third generation family-owned winery, the Zuccardi’s take seriously their responsibility to protect the environment, support the land, the farmers and uplift the local community. Through building schools, offering free education, fostering equality, banning child labor, and subsidizing health care, they’re not only elevating their wines and the Uco Valley as a world class wine region, but also giving the people who have contributed to their success a path forward and upward mobility for their own families.

Natural and Organic.

Grape / Blend
95% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

Origin
Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
José Zuccardi Malbec developed from Zuccardi Zeta. Its traditional style has respected the wine’s identity since the first Zeta harvest in 2002. José Zuccardi Malbec reflects José Alberto’s pursuit of overcoming and conviction. 

94 Points - James Suckling
This is the best bottling I have had of this, showing beautiful polish and finesse to the dark and delicious fruit. Medium body, fine tannins and a flavorful finish. Drink or hold.

93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The concept of the 2017 José Zuccardi has been varying through the years. It comes from a wine called Zuccardi Z, and it's a pure Malbec from different regions in the Valle de Uco (today, Altamira and Gualtallary) with limestone soils. It has a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon (only 5% to 10%), which is not mentioned on the label, and is now matured in foudre for two years. The blend and long aging are consistent with the more traditional practices. This time I noticed the minty and balsamic notes from the Cabernet, a hint of camphor, perhaps from the conditions of the vintage and the élevage. It's medium to full-bodied with fine-grained tannins and a remarkable finish where the chalky texture is more noticeable.

92 Points - Wine Spectator
Lively and fresh tasting, with concentrated juiciness to the raspberry, red currant and red cherry flavors that are backed by crisp acidity. Minerally snap to the finish, with hints of dried mint. Drink now through 2026.

Product size: 750ml