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Paso

2021

‘Garage’ Bonarda

Valle de Uco - Argentina
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

The ‘Garage’ line from Paso is a reference to the good ol’ days when Norberto and Sebastién were making Malbec and Bonarda out of a friend’s garage. They have made huge strides since those days, circa 2008; they now have their very own ‘garage’ (read: cellar) in El Peral, just outside the quaint town of Tupungato. The fruit for this wine comes from Finca Mussaver in El Cepillo, San Carlos. This area, which is still in the greater Mendoza region, is south of Tupungato and is an unusual location to grow Bonarda because of the colder weather and elevation (about 3,600 ft. above sea level). This leads to a very long hang time and wonderful complexity. Bonus: this wine is certified organic!

The grapes were manually harvested and brought back to the cellar for spontaneous fermentation with 30% whole-clusters in concrete vats. After 7 days, the grapes were pressed and the wine went back into the same vats. Nine months later, the wine was bottled, without fining and just a gentle cross-flow filtration and small dosage of sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Malbec
  • Vineyard: Finca Mussaver (El Cepillo, San Carlos)
  • Vine Age: 85-years-old
  • Soil Type: Sandy loam with rocks interspersed
  • Viticulture: Certified organic
  • Fermentation: Native — concrete vats (30% whole cluster)
  • Skin Contact: 7 days
  • Aging: 9 months in concrete vats
  • Alcohol: 12.5%
  • pH: 3.73
  • Total Acidity: 5.9 g/L
  • Total SO2: 61 ppm
  • Total Production: 833 cases
  • UPC: 7798395160036

Tasting Notes

This is an original red wine that brings a curious style to Bonarda. It has a deep violet hue characteristic of the grape. On the nose, an aromatic palette unfolds, ranging from fresh fruit to herbaceous notes, with hints of spices and a smoky undertone. It has a sweet entry and vibrant acidity, with soft tannins. Great persistence and a spiced aftertaste.

Press & Reviews

Wine Advocate

91

"The 2021 Vino de Garage: Bonarda comes from organic vines and has changed quite a lot; it was picked a lot riper than in the past and contains more Bonarda than before. It has 14.2% alcohol and some rusticity, varietal character and a much more serious palate with balance and fine tannins. 6,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2022."

- Luis Gutiérrez

Vinous

90

"The 2021 Bonarda Vino de Garage from the Uco Valley was 10% aged in used barrels. Purple in hue. The nose offers gentle notes of blackberry and raspberry with hints of sour cherry. In the mouth, the palate is kept compact by the tannins with a juicy, indulgent feel and lingering flow."

- Joaquín Hidalgo

Producer


Paso

Region


Valle de Uco

Country


Argentina

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