Tupun Cabernet Franc Reserva
GRAPE
Cabernet Franc
APPELLATION OF ORIGIN
Tupungato Valley, Mendoza, Argentina
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME
13.5%
WINEMAKER
Ariel Angelini
PROTECTION
Anti-hail fabric
DESCRIPTION
The style of the Tupun Cabernet Franc Reserva is elegant, with a clear color and a nose of blackberries, cassis, roses and graphite. Full bodied with firm tannins, it offers rich flavors of blackberries, black currant, and spice. The finish is long and mouth-coating.
TERROIR
The name Tupun is after the Tupungato Volcano, the second highest volcano in the America’s at 21,555 ft of altitude. Tupungato’s base is about 30 miles away from Bodega del Tupun’s vineyards. The word Tupungato means “starwatcher” in the Huarpe language since the Mountain is so high. All grapes are hand-picked in 10kg baskets (22lbs).
VINIFICATION
Harvest is done at night to avoid fermentation before the grapes reach the winery and for better control. Grapes are de-stemmed and hand sorted before fermentation. Grapes come from Tupun’s high altitude estate vineyards (Estate grown).
AGING
Aging of the wine is done for 14 months in second and third use of French oak barrels and concrete tanks and then at least another 12 months in the bottle before release.
CLIMATE
High altitude vineyards over 3600 feet provide great variation in temperature between day and night, resulting in longer growing seasons. Since the vineyards get to rest at night with the cool temperature, they produce riper grapes and later harvests, which make intense and full-bodied wines.
GRAPE SELECTION
Grapes come from selected vines in their properties, which produce low yields of 3500 kg per acre. The Tupungato Valley, located inside Mendoza is now considered the top appellation in Argentina to grow Malbec grapes because of its altitude, climate and soil.
PAIRING
Complements grilled meats, pasta, pizza and vegetable dishes.
SERVING
Use decanter if available. Serve at 60°-64°F.