Matias Morcos Criolla Chica 2023

The label depicts an ancient, rudimentary method of viticulture where old immigrant vines have essentially grown feral like ‘little trees’. The task of the grape picker becomes precarious and involves erecting wooden ladders for harvesting amidst wayward branches. This can still be seen in some far-flung pockets of eastern Mendoza as well as in Salta in the far north. The majority of vines for this wine, however, are old pergola-trained characters and in this case, Criolla Chica, the Daddy of the Criolla family, aka Listan Prieto from the Canary Islands, which was brought to the Americas some 600 years ago.

This particular example of Criolla Chica has a beautiful red berry ripeness with aromas of strawberries and cherries. It is light and soft in the mouth with juicy acidity and a delicious finish. Best served lightly chilled, it’s a real eye-opener and a great springboard into the lovely Criolla swimming pool.

Winery – BARRIALES, EAST MENDOZA; VINEYARDS – MONTECAsEROS, eL RAMBLON, ALTO VERDE, EAST MENDOZA