Yacochuya
The Rolland Collection
In 1988 the Etchart’s (a French-Basque family that had settled in Argentina’s Salta region) sought the Rolland’s help to overhaul their estate in Valles Calchaquíes, Cafayate. They had a mixture of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec vines at a dizzying 2035m above sea level, most of which has been planted in 1913. Michel and Dany helped renovate the vineyard, including the importation of new vine material f rom France and subsequently bought 50% of the business to create Yacochuya. Michel relished the opportunity to work with his beloved Malbec outside Bordeaux and Cahors, and so began a love affair with Argentina that still persists today. From the over 60-yearold vines of Finca Yacochuya in Valles Calchaquíes, the grapes are handpicked and the wines are aged in French oak barrels. Yacochuya wines were the first to be barrelfermented in Argentina.
Yacochuya
Predominantly Malbec with a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon, from some of Argentina’s (and therefore the world’s) highest altitude vineyards. Average vine age: 80-100 years. Fermentation in small stainless steel tanks followed by malolactic and ageing (18-24 months) in new French oak. The wine bursts with dark berry flavours, dried violets and cigar box spice. The ABV is comfortably over 15% but you won’t notice it, at least until you stand up.
James Suckling 93 pts
San Pedro Yacochuya
The ‘junior’ red (it’s anything but junior in style!) made f rom 85% Malbec / 15% Cabernet. Average vine age 60 years. Fermented in small stainless steel tanks and aged for 12 months in French oak (60% new). Unfiltered and unfined.