Argentina > Mendoza > Uco Valley > Ricominciare
Mendoza and the valle de uco
Mendoza Province is widely regarded as Argentina’s premier wine district. Within Mendoza, the Valle de Uco, a viticultural region southwest of the city of Mendoza is one of the province’s most celebrated sub-districts. The Uco Valley is situated along the Tunuyán River, which originates at Mount Tupungato in the Andes. The river provides irrigation water for the Uco’s vineyards, necessary since the growing season is basically perpetually sunny.
Soils, Climate and terroir
Altitudes range from 3,000–3,900 above sea level. Soils are deep alluvial deposits of organic-poor sand, gravel and limestone. The elevation creates extreme diurnal temperature swings, which in turn create ripeness while preserving acidity in the region’s Malbec and Cabernet-family grapes.
ricominciare
In 1902, Nicolás Catena arrived in Argentina from Italy. In Finca La Libertad in Mendoza, he continued an ancient tradition in new lands. Jorge, his grandson, inherited this legacy and passion for winemaking. Today, Viviana Catena, Jorge's daughter, and her family continue the traditional winemaking methods passed down by their great-grandfather.
Flavia Maschi, Winemaker; with Viviana Catena
Viviana’s Ricominciare wines use only grapes from their San Vicente Vineyard, in La Consulta, in the Valle de Uco. This vineyard has been in the family for more than 50 years. The name is the Italian verb for “to restart” or a bit more poetically, a new beginning.
The harvest is done 100% by hand. Only native yeasts are used and fermentation is done in small tanks plot by plot. The wines are bottled with no fining and only a very light filtration. The wines are superb, filled with Viviana’s own grace and finesse. The aim is always elegance.
the wines
Ricominciare Malbec: 55 year old vines, hand harvested, fermented by native yeasts and aged 6-8 months in concrete tanks. Light filtration before bottling. Aromas of red and black fruit with an herbal freshness. Medium bodied, fresh palate.
Ricominciare Cabernet Franc: 37 year old vines, hand harvested, fermented by native yeastsand aged 6-8 months in concrete tanks. Light filtration before bottling. Aromas of red fruit, savory and fresh. Medium bodied, clean finish.
Riconminciare Malbec-Cabernet Franc Blend: 55 year old vines, 70% Malbec 30% Cab Franc. Nice complexity and a long finish.
Altisimo Malbec: 55 year old vines, hand harvested and fermented using native yeasts. 3 months in new French oak. Aromas of plum and blueberry, elegant and long with notes of vanilla and dessert spice.
Altisimo Cabernet Sauvignon: 55 year old vines, hand harvested and fermented using native yeasts. 12 months in French oak, 1/3 new. Aromas of sandalwood, exotic spices, cherry cola incense and black fruits. The palate is complex, ripe and plush with good balance and length.
“We don’t inherit our ancestors’ land; we leave it to our children.”
