Felipe Rutini Merlot

2004 Displays complex but harmonious ripe black cherry and blackberry aromas and integrated notes of toast and vanilla. The palate is soft and enticing, with black fruit flavors and a long, silky finish.

Additional Information

Winemaking a Rutini wines is headed by Mariano de Paola, a key figure in Argentina's wine industry. His goal is to encourage effective team work so as to create great wines. Over the last decade, Rutini Wines has undergone technological renovation and remodeling of its facilities. During this period, the winery has doubled its capacity and acquired state-of-the-art technology including stainless steel tanks, refrigeration equipment, pneumatic presses, destemmers, filters and pumps.

Rutini Wines is one of the oldest and most celebrated wineries in Argentina. Its origins date back the late 19th century when Italian immigrant Felipe Rutini planted his first vines at what remains the site of the present-day winery in Maipú, in the province of Mendoza. The Rutini winery was founded in 1885, and has since then been consistently commended for the outstanding quality and character of its wines. Rutini Wines currently owns estates in five different areas of Mendoza, including Maipú, Rivadavia, La Consulta, Altamira and Tupungato, with a total of 255 hectares under vine. This diverse source of vineyard sites allows them to cultivate each individual grape variety in the area that offers the best suited growing conditions. Of particular value is the source of old vines in the highly coveted region of La Consulta, where many believe the best Malbec grapes in Mendoza are being grown today. Here the vines reach ages of 65 years. The concentrated yields produced by these vines, combined with the high altitude, cool air and intense sunshine in this region, create grapes with rich fruit character, deep color and smooth, ripe tannins.

The grapes making this Merlot are sourced from the Arbolera district of the Tupungato region in Mendoza, high in the Andes Mountains, at an elevation of 3,000 to 5,000 feet above sea-level. With its unique microclimate, Tupungato produces fruit with exceptional fruit and structure. The vineyards experience a range of temperature between daytime highs and night time lows. The warm sunny days allow for maximum radiation resulting in complex flavors and aromas. The cool night allow for an extended hang-time on the vines ensuring good balance of acidity. Destemmed for a 25 day fermentation and maceration. Aging takes place for 12 months in new French oak. 100% malolactic fermentation.