Bodegas CARO : CARO 2021

Lafite-Rothschild releases a fresh Argentinian wine of great finesse

The estate

In 1999, Château Lafite-Rothschild and the Catena family in Argentina came together with a common dream: to unite two different cultures, two grape varieties typical of each country and two inimitable skills in a single wine. From its very first vintage, Bodegas CARO has shared much more than the names of two emblematic estates: their styles have blended perfectly to produce wines that have met with dazzling success.

The vineyard

CARO is an Argentinian wine that stems from a selection of great terroirs from the Mendoza region. This 2021 vintage was produced from an 8-hectare plot in Altamira (Uco valley) at an altitude of 1100 metres, as well as from vineyards in Gualtallary and San Pablo, at altitudes of 1250 and 1350 metres respectively, on alluvial soils made up of sand, silt, limestone and stones, depending on the terroir.

The wine

CARO embodies the perfect balance between an Argentinian identity and a Bordeaux style, through the typical expression of Malbec harmonised with the elegance and complexity of Cabernet Sauvignon.

The vintage

Punctuated by a few frosts which had no impact on the vineyard, the spring was marked by wet and cold conditions which delayed vine growth. The cool summer was also characterised by alternating rainy and sunny days, favouring mildew and botrytis pressure.

Winemaking and ageing

Following the harvests done by hand, the grapes are completely destemmed. Alcoholic fermentation in steel vats. Maceration for 20 days with gentle pumping over to help extract the tannins. Malolactic fermentation in vats, followed by ageing in French oak barrels made by the Tonnellerie des Domaines in Pauillac (80% new oak) for 18 months.

Blend

Malbec (79%)
Cabernet Sauvignon (21%)

Characteristics and tasting tips for CARO 2021 from Bodegas CARO

Tasting

Colour
The wine has a beautiful, deep red colour, adorned with garnet highlights.

Nose
The nose is complex, mingling fruity (red fruit, fig, blueberry) and spiced fragrances with subtle notes of coffee and dried fruits recalling the ageing in the barrel.

Palate
The palate is dense, with a lovely freshness, balance and finesse of its tannins, transferring into this wine a rare, lingering smoothness.