# The Waxed Bat Red Blend (NV)

- **Producer:** Rodolfo "Opi" Sadler
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec
- **Region:** Mendoza, Argentina
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €13
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackberry, plum, violet, liquorice, black pepper, toast, smoke, cedar, leather

## About this wine

Crafted by winemaker Rodolfo 'Opi' Sadler for Andean Vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina, The Waxed Bat is a signature red blend named after Opi's childhood memories. Exploring his grandfather's dark cellar lit only by candlelight, roosting bats in the rafters would occasionally flutter past, leaving wax drips on the cellar walls. Created as a custom cuvée for merchant Tony Laithwaite, this high-altitude Andean foothills red has earned international acclaim for its iconic branding and reliable craftsmanship.

## Interesting facts

- Named after bats fluttering near candles in the winemaker's grandfather's dark cellar, leaving wax drips on walls.
- Decanter judges once described the wine's concentration as 'so thick you could paint with it'.
- Winemaker Opi Sadler is nicknamed 'El Mago' (The Magician) for his exceptional blending skills.

## Food pairing

The rich structure and supple tannins of this red blend make it a natural match for hearty meats and savory cheeses. The wine's vibrant acidity cuts through fat in grilled ribeye steak and barbecue ribs, while dark fruit aromas harmonize with charred and roasted flavors.

## Wine making process

Grapes are sourced from high-altitude vineyards across Mendoza along the foothills of the Andes. Winemaker Opi Sadler meticulously monitors harvest timing to ensure complete phenological maturity. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel and concrete tanks, utilizing traditional Mendoza extraction techniques. The wine undergoes aging in oak barrels and stainless steel vessels to achieve balance between fruit purity and toasted complexity.