Cabernet Franc “Eggo Franco” 2022 – Zorzal

The grapes to produce Cabernet Franc “Eggo Franco” Zorzal were placed in cement egg shaped fermenters to allow fermentation to take place spontaneously with native yeasts. The egg shape of the fermenter facilitates vinification without the need for numerous pump-overs to extract components such as anthocyanin and polyphenols. Due to its ovoid shape, everything inside is constant motion, allowing gentler and more homogeneous extractions. Once fermentation was complete, maceration with the skins took place over 40 days and the wine was then removed from the tank before being returned to the same egg shaped vessel for nine months further ageing.

The vines are grown in a high altitude, drip irrigated single vineyard in Tupungato, Gualtallary, in the Uco Valley. Gualtallary is situated at 1,350 metres above sea-level in the highest vine-growing zone in the Province of Mendoza, at the foot of Tupungato volcano. This zone is characterised by its combination of altitude, alluvial soils, sunny days, low rainfall and wide temperature ranges. The diurnal temperatures here oscillate between 35°C and 17°C, creating long, slow ripening periods, concentrating the flavours in the fruit while retaining balancing acidity. The combination of the cool climate and the white chalky soil, impart the wine with delicious acidity and great structure.

Zorzal is an Argentinian boutique winery which has been dedicated to the production of high quality wines since 2008 and is located at the highest point of the Uco Valley. Zorzal hailed as one of the most exclusive and well-regarded areas for viticulture in Argentina, the terroir is revealed in the Zorzal wines through a respectful, non invasive winemaking process that puts austerity before exuberance and fruit before wood. The wines have rapidly gained international recognition. Founded by the Michelini brothers, who are outstanding in their passionate leadership in the vineyards and winery, this highly regarded winemaking duo have become renowned as the trendsetters of the Argentinian winemaking scene.