Matais Riccitelli & Father Malbec/Cabernet Franc 2020
We have 4 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land
Riccitelli & Father pulls from two of Mendoza’s most characterful zones to build contrast into the blend. The Malbec comes from Las Compuertas (Luján de Cuyo), old, ungrafted vines planted in 1927 rooted in alluvial soils at the Andean foothills, where warm sun is balanced by cool nights. Cabernet Franc is sourced from Los Chacayes in the Uco Valley, a higher, rockier sector where mountain airflow and leaner soils naturally push herbal lift and tighter structure. The result is not “one place, one note,” but a deliberate layering of traditional Luján depth with Uco Valley freshness.
The Wine
This is a Malbec-led blend with Cabernet Franc built for density without heaviness. In the cellar, Riccitelli keeps the extraction controlled: a small portion of whole clusters, the rest destemmed, fermented in small French oak vats with a gentle, hands-on approach rather than aggressive pumpovers. The wine then settles into large 2,000-liter foudres for extended aging, which smooths tannins and broadens texture without turning the wine into an oak delivery system.
In the glass, expect black cherry and blackberry, graphite, and a distinctly Mendoza mix of wild herbs and peppercorn, with Cabernet Franc adding aromatic lift and a more savory finish. It drinks best with food: chimichurri steak, lamb, grilled mushrooms, or anything off the fire.
The People
Matías Riccitelli founded his winery in Las Compuertas with a clear agenda: use Mendoza’s historic vineyards and high-altitude sites to make wines that feel modern, precise, and site-aware, not simply powerful. “& Father” is exactly what it sounds like—a collaboration with his father Jorge Riccitelli, one of Argentina’s most influential winemakers, bringing a more classical sensibility to Matías’ mountain-driven style. This bottle is the overlap: old-vine Malbec tradition, sharpened by Cabernet Franc and a restraint-minded élevage.
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Mendoza is Argentina’s largest and most celebrated wine region, tucked into the foothills of the Andes in the country’s west. Sun-drenched days, cool mountain nights, and mineral-rich soils create ideal conditions for robust yet balanced wines. Although Malbec is the star here—yielding lush dark fruit and refined tannins—varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Torrontés also thrive. With each sub-region (from Luján de Cuyo to the Uco Valley) bringing its own distinct personality, Mendoza offers a vibrant tapestry of high-altitude vineyards that continue to elevate Argentine wine on the global stage.
