Amalaya, Calchaquí Valley Torrontés/Riesling
Country: Argentina Region: Cafayate Valley
Variety: Torrontés/Riesling Vintage: 2024
Colour: White Style: Dry
Producer: Amalaya
PRODUCER
Amalaya translates as ‘hope for a miracle’ in the indigenous language of the now extinct tribe, the Calchaquí. The winery is situated in Cafayate, Calchaquí Valley in Salta in the far north of Argentina at nearly 1,828 metres above sea level. It is a part of the Hess Family Estates and is run with the same dedication to quality, sustainability and social responsibility as the other Hess Estates. All of the Amalaya wines are fruit driven in style, with a finesse that unites them. These wines offer incredible value for their quality and
truly reflect their ‘sense of place‘.
VINEYARDS
The Torrontés and Riesling grapes were grown on the Finca San Isidoro and Finca Las Mercedes vineyards. These are located in the Cafayate Valley in the very heart of the Calchaqui Valley, distinguished for being the highest wine region in the world. The climate here is very dry, with just 150mm of rain in an average year and a huge diurnal temperature change of around 20°C. The soils here are rocky, poor and sandy so the roots of the vines are forced to dig deep to find the vital nutrients and water they need, which in turn results in a huge concentration of flavour within the fruit.
VINIFICATION
The grapes went through a double selection process, firstly in the vineyard and then again on the sorting table at the winery. The grapes are pressed without any maceration. A slow fermentation took place using selected yeasts, for around 30 days at a controlled temperature of 14°C, which helped to retain the varietal fruit character. The wine was aged in stainless steel tanks for three months before a further two months in bottle.
TASTING NOTES
This wine is pale gold in colour with youthful highlights. On the nose, there are intense aromas of grapefruit and lemon peel, which is typical of Torrontés, balanced by a touch of minerality and floral notes. On the palate, it has a crisp acidity with a long, mineral finish.
