2020 Volare del Camino

A small plot of the lower vineyard owned by the monastery: the first 16 rows of the west sector, under the pine forest, with greater calcareous content. The plants there are less vigorous, with smaller clusters that are usually harvested two weeks before Inseparable. In the spring of 2019 there was a series of frosts in mid October, which meant production losses of around 50%. According to winemaker Edy Del Popolo, 'Volare is the bridge between the classic vineyard and the Monte Alabanza hill' ie between the valley floor and the hills. Very shallow topsoil (c 40 cm deep, calcareous) and gravel, giving a smaller canopy and lower yields here than in the Inseparable vineyard. T he grapes were harvested by hand, destemmed, and fermented with indigenous yeasts at low temperatures in 500-litre vats. Extraction was limited by very gentle daily pigeages. Macerated with the skins for 30 days. It was aged for 16 months in used neutral French oak barrels. Strongly mineral aroma, crushed stones. At the same time, beautifully fragrant. More tension than in the Inseparable. More floral but not perfumed. More obvious tannins, drier but very, very fine. Extremely pure. An elegant wine of real beauty. Going back to this there is a touch of black olive. 'Classic Mendoza vintage’, says Del Popolo. Lots of fresh tension and extremely long finish. (JH)