Escorihuela Gascón has been part of Mendoza since the late 1800s, and the Familia range is where the winery puts its most straightforward expression of each grape. This is Chardonnay from Argentina's high-altitude heartland, made in a full, dry style.
- Chardonnay, 100% of the blend.
- Mendoza, Argentina — high-altitude vineyards.
- 2021 vintage, a warm and generous year.
- 13.5% ABV, medium body, medium acidity.
- Dry, with low tannin.
How it is made
Mendoza sits in the rain shadow of the Andes, where vineyards climb to well over a thousand metres and the wide day-to-night temperature swing keeps acidity in the fruit. Chardonnay is picked ripe and handled to keep the fruit forward, with a portion of the wine given time in oak to build the vanilla and buttery notes that define this style.
How it tastes
Green apple and citrus lead, then tropical fruit — lime, pear and apricot — with a clear thread of honey running through. Oak shows as vanilla and a soft buttery texture, kept in check by medium acidity. The finish is dry and rounded rather than sharp.
Where it comes from
Mendoza is Argentina's largest and most important wine region, planted mostly to Malbec but equally capable with Chardonnay. The altitude is the key: thin air, intense sun, cool nights. The result is fruit with ripeness and freshness at the same time.
Good to know
Escorihuela Gascón is one of the founding houses of modern Argentine wine, based in the Mendoza suburb of Godoy Cruz. The Familia line is the winery's varietal range, built to show each grape plainly rather than to age for decades.
