ATAMISQUE, SAN JOSÉ, TUPUNGATO, UCO VALLEY, MENDOZ
We talk quite a lot about Argentina being a kind of rendezvous point for the so-called Old and New Worlds of wine, such is the cultural diversity and rich winemaking history of the country. Atamisque, one of our latest finds, is perhaps the best example so far of what we mean by this, both in terms of wine style and the overarching philosophy of the place.
The history of the property stretches back to Jesuit settlers who established the Estancia San José in the mid 17th Century, essentially an early Uco Valley farming enterprise. A village soon grew here and the original Estancia Atamisque was built. Now owned by a Frenchman, John Du Monceau, and his wife, Chantal, whose grandfather had been a winemaker in Burgundy, the modern winery has quickly become a visual icon of the region for its beautiful slate roof, crafted in the architectural style of the French and Italian Alps. The business end of the operation is overseen by another Frenchman and seasoned wine professional, Jean-Edouard de Rochebouët.
Now for the important bit… the wines! The keywords here are elegance and complexity. The vision is to make wines that absolutely reflect their unique terroir, from estate owned vineyards of some 70 hectares. Where some wineries excel with concentration, Atamisque offers a deft touch and a finesse that we are very tempted to associate with very fine wines from the Old World, specifically France. The French connection comes not only from the owners, you see, but from a winemaking sensibility that nurtures varietal character in balance with its provenance, perhaps above all else.
Although we are currently introducing you to just two of the superb wines from Atamisque, both from the entry-level, unoaked Serbal range, you can be sure there will be more to follow in the near future, both from the Catalpa premium single varietal range and from the ultra-premium Atamisque range itself. In the meantime we hope you will be tempted by these.
NEW! Serbal Chardonnay 2009
Showing lovely Chardonnay typicity on the nose, completely unhampered and undisguised by any oak influence whatsoever; t...
NEW! Serbal Malbec 2009
With restraint and opulence at once on the nose, this is intriguing and inviting, showing charming wild red fruit scents...