Pacheco Pereda Linaje Organic Malbec

In 2010 Pacheco Pereda was founded in Mendoza by Alejandro Bulgheroni with the aim of developing sustainable viticulture in Argentina. This vision has resulted in one of Argentinas largest organic-certified vineyard holdings. The name Pacheco Pereda nods to 20th-century migrant families who arrived in Argentina to establish farms before industrial agriculture existed here.

Their vineyards are in the Lujn de Cuyo region, split between 231 hectares in Finca Alto Agrelo, planted between 980 and 1200 metres above sea level, and 99 hectares in Finca Pedemonte at 740 metres. Back in 2010, the team at Pacheco Pereda carried out a vast soil-mapping exercise across the vineyards, using electric conductivity technology. Their aim was to understand the different soil textures, and assess soil drainage capacity, by digging five hundred soil pits. Their findings resulted in the vineyards being split into 74 individual parcels, to which grape varieties were matched and different planting densities implemented accordingly. Organic certification followed, together with the introduction of natural corridors through the vineyards to improve biodiversity. The winery is also part of the initiative 4 per 1000, launched at the COP21 climate change conference, which commits to promoting and implementing healthy soils that can trap carbon and reduce its impact on climate change.

Pacheco Peredas Linaje Malbec is sourced from parcels at the highest point of the Alto Agrelo vineyard where the deep soils contain the highest percentage of rocks. Fermented in stainless steel, the wine is then aged in a mixture of used French oak foudres and 3,000-litre concrete eggs for 14 months. The resulting wine presents complex notes of red fruit, plum and spice with velvety tannins and a persistent finish.

Vineyards

The fruit for the `Linaje` Organic Malbec comes from the Finca Alto Agrelo vineyard, situated around 1,200 metres above sea level in Lujn de Cuyo. There are a total of 231 hectares of organic vineyards planted here. The soil is a mix of stones and sand, and the vines are grown using a vertical shoot position trellis system (VSP).

Vinification

Following harvest, the fruit went through cold maceration for 48 hours. Fermentation took place at 24-26C for 21 days, and malolactic fermentation also occurred. Afterwards, 30% of the blend was aged in 500 litres vats, while the remaining matured in 3.500 litres barrels of medium -toasted French oak barrels for 10 months before blending and bottling.

Tasting Notes

The `Linaje` Organic Malbec presents intense aromas of violets, red berries and plums, along with spices and a balsamic character. Velvety tannins provide great structure to the wine, which is complemented by a good level of freshness and a persistent finish.

Drink with smoked pork & lentils or spaghetti bolognaise. More traditionally, drink with steak served pink with a side of humita, (steamed corn husks filled with corn ground with milk, we usually add some coriander, chilli and mozzarella).