El Esteco Chañar Punco 2016 – Winery: El Esteco – Winemaker: Alejandro Pepa – Variety: Blend (Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and other selected varieties) – Vineyards: High-altitude vineyards – Soil: Sandy loam with good stoniness – Altitude: 2000 meters above sea level – Aging: 18 months in French oak barrels – Origin: Chañar Punco, Calchaquí Valley, Salta, Argentina.

Pairing: Grilled red meats, game dishes, rich stews, and hard, aged cheeses.

Tasting Notes: A high-end, limited-production wine that purely expresses the extreme terroir of Chañar Punco. On the nose, it displays remarkable aromatic intensity, with notes of ripe black fruit, cassis, dried figs, spices, tobacco, and a mineral background. Oak aging lends elegance with hints of vanilla, cocoa, and coffee. On the palate, it is powerful and structured, with firm, round, and perfectly integrated tannins. Refreshing acidity balances its body, and the finish is long, deep, and enveloping. A high-altitude wine, complex and with great aging potential.