Carmelo Patti Gran Assemblage
WHY WE LOVE IT
- This blend reminds us of rustic, “old school” Bordeaux with earthy fruit, leafy undertones, and soft restraint.
- This small bottling is an assemblage of the finest blocks of Carmelo’s Perdriel vineyard.
- As is the case with all of Carmelo’s wines, this blend is hand-crafted naturally, with no chemical additives and minimal intervention. He was making natural wine before the category existed.
Varietal Composition: Cabernet Sauvignon / Malbec / Merlot / Cabernet Franc
Elaboration: All grapes are co-fermented with native yeast and aged in concrete for 12 months and then moved to French Oak (mostly used) for 12 additional months. Unfined and unfiltered. Generally held at the winery five years or more before release.
Tasting Notes: Very classical with aromas of turned earth, sautéed mushroom, tomato and herbs, cured meat, smoke, tea and incense. In the mouth you will find flavors of coffee, cinnamon, dry raspberry, and spiced plum delivered through fully-resolved tannins and a silky finish. A wine for food, elegant and easy to drink.
PRESS
2013 – 93+ Wine Advocate
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
If you are lucky enough to secure an appointment, a visit to Carmelo Patti’s small, rustic winery in the heart of Lujan de Cuyo will without question be one of the more memorable wine tours of your life.
Carmelo is one of Mendoza’s great old-school winemaking personalities and runs every corner of this quirky operation himself. Originally brought to Argentina on a small boat from Sicily when he was one year old, Carmelo was a catalyst for the rebirth of fine wine production in Mendoza in the eighties and is, to this day, one of the most respected enologists in the country. Carmelo’s winemaking style is equally unique as his character, and he insists on holding all wine until he deems it “ready” for release which generally means 4-5 years after harvest at the soonest for reds. All wines are made naturally, with no chemical additives and only native yeast.