# Hey Malbec! (2022)

- **Producer:** Matias Riccitelli
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** 100% Malbec
- **Region:** Mendoza, Argentina
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €20
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black cherry, strawberry, mulberry, flowers, white pepper, herbs

## About this wine

Hey Malbec! by Matias Riccitelli is a 2022 dry red wine from Mendoza, Argentina, made from 100% Malbec. The wine is a modern interpretation of Malbec, designed to be fresh and fruit-forward. It is a blend sourced equally from the Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo, two prominent sub-regions within Mendoza, each contributing unique characteristics due to their distinct altitudes and soil compositions. Matias Riccitelli, following in his father's footsteps, founded his winery with a philosophy of minimal intervention to showcase terroir. The name and label of 'Hey Malbec!' reflect a contemporary, approachable style.

## Interesting facts

- Sourced from vineyards between 950 and 1,400 meters altitude.
- Combines grapes from calcareous and loam-clay soils.
- Minimal oak influence to preserve fruit purity.
- Name and label reflect a youthful, bold aesthetic.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium-plus body and soft tannins are well-suited to complement the richness of grilled red meats and lamb. Its vibrant fruit notes and medium acidity can cut through fattier dishes and stand up to tomato-based sauces, while herbal undertones in the wine can echo herbs used in cooking.

## Wine making process

The 2022 Hey Malbec! is produced using a focus on preserving freshness and fruit purity. Grapes are hand-harvested in small trays. Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts in small concrete vats, with a portion of whole clusters included to enhance fruitiness. The wine is aged primarily in concrete tanks (around 70%), with the remainder in used French oak barrels, minimizing oak influence. This approach aligns with Matias Riccitelli's philosophy of minimal intervention to showcase the unique terroir of Mendoza's high-altitude vineyards.