Anko Torrontes
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Salta is a land of extremes which makes for powerful, structured wines with a savory minerality.
- Sustainable farming.
- Anko Malbec is harvested by hand.
- Intense sunshine at 5,700′ elevation produces concentrated dark fruit flavors.
Varietal Composition: 100% Torrontes
Elaboration: The soil is very shallow and rocky. The grapes are harvested by hand. Delicate pressure with 8 hours of pre-fermentation cold maceration. Natural yeasts. Time: 14 days. No malolactic fermentation. It does not go through the barrel.
Estancia Los Cardones vineyards are named for the area’s majestic cacti which can grow as tall as 30 feet and are indeed an oasis amid the surrounding jagged landscape.
Tasting Notes: A savory wine with minerals and floral aromas, mainly jasmine. Citrus profile in the company of a natural acidity that gives it a bright and clean finish.
PRESS
2018 – 91 James Suckling
2019 – 90 Wine Advocate
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Established in 2008 by Fernando Saavedra Jr and his father, Estancia Los Cardones is home to Anko wines. Together these partners, Catena alumni Jeff Mausbach and celebrated winemaker Alejandro (Colo) Sejanovich, realized their dream to create a boutique winery in their native Salta. The name Estancia Los Cardones pays tribute to the giant cacti – Cardones in the region. The name Anko means “High Water” in the native Indian language (Quechan) of Salta, located in the northwest corner of Argentina.
Due to its location high on the eastern slopes, the soil profile of Estancia Los Cardones is unique in Salta – a very shallow, vey rocky soil with abundant splintered shale on the surface. “Salta is a land of extremes—extreme beauty, extreme altitude, extreme sunlight. These extremes make for powerful, structured wines with savory minerality that are very different from other regions in Argentina.” ~ Winemaker, Jeff Mausbach