Bodega Noemia de Patagonia A Lisa Malbec 2022 (750ml)

 

Rated 93 Points by Vinous Media

 

The 2022 Malbec A Lisa originates from Mainqué in Río Negro, Patagonia.  A bright, purple-hued wine, it offers fresh plum and cherry on the nose, complemented by delicate lavender and herb undertones.  Dry and moderately lean, fine-grained tannins and a juicy mouthfeel lead to a long lasting, flavorful finish.  This is an unusual red within the Argentine context.  Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous Media November 2023

 

Rated 92 Points by James Suckling

 

Fruit-oriented, textural and herbal, with aromas of dark cherries, dark plums and mild spices.  Medium-bodied with firm tannins and generous fruit.  Juicy and plump at the center.  Pulpy dark cherry character with a compact yet fruity finish.  Hold

 

Bodega Noemia de Patagonia A Lisa Malbec 2022

 

A Lisa Malbec Alto Valle Del Rio Negro

 

Bodega Noemia De Patagonia is one of the southernmost wineries in the world.  The Noemia Estate, comprised of 12 hectares essentially in the desert, situated in the Rio Negro Valley at the northern edge of Patagonia in Argentina.  Contessa Cinzano and Hans Vinding-Diers recognized the potential of this remote Rio Negro Valley, and since 2000, have tailored and resuscitated the land.  A Lisa, dedicated to the Grandmother of the Hans’s family, is a 90% Malbec and 9% Merlot and 1% Petit-Verdot, cultivated partly organically and biodynamically.

 

All of the grapes come from producers in the Mainqué area with whom we have long-term lease contracts and whose vineyards are managed by our agricultural team throughout the year.  The average age of these ancient clones in leasing is 40 years.  The integration of these local producers allows us to contribute to the micro-economy of our community so as to help protect the heritage of these ancient vineyards, which permanently run the risk of being ripped off to use the land for other activities.  The harvest begins in February and finishes at the end of March.

 

Tasting Notes

 

A dense violet and plum color, with a bouquet of dark berries, cherry, minerals, and cocoa.  Medium-bodied with an excellent structure, notes of cherry and cassis; with balanced, persistent tannins.

 

Alcohol:  13.5%

 

Food Pairings

 

A flexible wine that can be served by the glass on its own; pairs well with pasta, fish, white meats and red meats.

 

Vineyard & Production Information

 

Vineyard Location:  South Side of Rio Negro

 

Green Status:  Cultivated partly organically and biodynamically

 

Soil Composition:  Clay, silt, gravel, sand, limestone, fluvial soil

 

Training Method:  Guyot

 

Elevation:  240 m above sea level

 

Vines/hectare:  3500 Plants per hectare/15 hectares

 

Exposure:  Various exposures

 

Vine Age:  40 Years Old

 

Harvest Time:  Mid March Hand Picked

 

First Vintage:  2004

 

Winemaking & Aging

 

Varietal Composition:  90% Malbec, 9% Merlot and 1% Petit-Verdot

 

Fermentation Container:  Stainless Steel Tanks

 

Maceration Technique:  10 Days Little Extraction

 

Type of aging container:  Used French 225L Barrels/ Stainless

 

Length of aging:  10 Months

 

Length of bottle aging:  3 Months

 

 

Bodega Noemia Patagonia

 

The italian Countess and wine producer Noemi Marone Cinzano, and the prestigious Danish winemaker Hans Vinding-Diers, teamed up as partners to produce some of the finest wines in Argentina.  Upon the discovery of the old Malbec vineyard, countess Noemi Marone Cinzano and Hans Vinding-Diers proceeded to restore the old vineyard back to life.  They purchased the small property and set to make a small vinification for fun.  The wine was bottled, brought by chance to a famous winefair and gained immediate notoriety, so they then decided to settle there for a bit and pursue their dream of making the finest wine possible thanks to those beautiful old plants.  They partnered for 18 years in the project until recently, where Hans Vinding-Diers, together with his wife and children, took over sole ownership of Bodega Noemía and the countess is now concentrating on other projects of hers in Europe.

 

Patagonia

 

Patagonia is unique in every aspect.  The Río Negro flows through the desert, transforming the valley in a true oasis in the middle of the steppe.  Our soil is made of alluvial composition, which added to our organic and sustainable approach makes it a superb combination for our wines to flourish.

 

The Vines

 

The vines in our property are mainly Malbec, with some Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.  We irrigate them by flooding with water coming from an ingenious system of canals that date almost two centuries back.

 

The Canals & The Vineyards

 

In the early 1900’s, Cesare Cipolleti, who was an Italian hydraulic engineer, studied the basin of the Limay, Neuquén and Río Negro Rivers, to make the most of their flow and through an ingenious system of canals irrigate the Río Negro Valley.  This irrigates all of our vines, including our 1932 old vineyard, responsible for producing our emblematic and world-renowned Noemía Malbec.

 

Winemaking

 

Since the very beginning at Bodega Noemía, the philosophy was to bring the vineyard to the bottle in the most sincere way.  To achieve such a feat, we go by the following steps: We pick by hand.  We do de-stemming and full bunch.  We use the most traditional ways of extraction like punching down or even foot treading.  For the single vineyards we help proliferate the spontaneous yeasts and for the A Lisa we use the best quality yeast selections that a Danish laboratory provides us with.  We ferment in open wooden fermenters, cement vessels and stainless steel tanks.  We do our “elevage” which means ageing, in 600 litres by 43 mm oak vats and mostly seasoned barriques.  Every year we include a 15% of new barrels in order to renew our stock.