Sarah suggests a Pinot Noir from Domaine Nico, Mendoza.
This Wine of the Week is from a famous winery and a famous wine region. It’s also made with one of the world’s best-loved grape varieties. This might make it sound predictable, but it’s quite the opposite.
We’re betting that Pinot Noir probably isn’t the first variety that you associate with Mendoza, Argentina. Or, indeed, with the Catena Zapata winery which made its name through Malbec.
The Domaine Nico wines, each from a different single parcel of vines, are the result of a joint project between Laura Catena, of the Catena family, and winemaker Roy Urvieta. Urvieta, who is currently working towards a PHD in Agronomy, has extensively studied Pinot Noir. Based on this bottle, he has evidently learned a thing or two about how to make an elegant but personality-filled bottle along the way.
This starts in the vineyards, which climb to a rather extreme 4,700 ft above sea level. This makes it one of the highest plantings in the Uco Valley, the area south of Mendoza city known for high-quality wines. It also helps to keep the grapes cool. This is ideal for finicky Pinot Noir which can become jammy if it’s too warm.
This, combined with the intense summer sun, might explain a little about the character of the wine. It’s incredibly zesty and fresh, with orange peel and vibrant strawberry fruits that follow through with intensity. Tannins are silky smooth, it’s zippy and refreshing, and has just 13% alcohol – relatively low for a wine with so many layers of fruit.
With this combination of quality and fun, it’s hard to know whether this wine is best decanted over a candlelit dinner, or lightly chilled and enjoyed poolside. Either scenario would be ideal.
The only place you wouldn’t want to find this wine is as part of a blind tasting. While its varietal identity is obvious, the origin is a total curveball.
Mendoza Pinot Noir? Well, it’s a thing, apparently.
Where to find Domaine Nico in Miami
Less than 6,000 bottles of this wine were produced. Luckily, both Mr D Miami, and Finding Wine both have it in stock. Price $50-52.
Tasted at the winery in December 2021, with thanks to Laura, Roy, and the Catena team.
Sarah is a freelance wine educator, writer and events host, based in South Beach. She holds the WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits and is a current Master of Wine student.
