ABOUT: Stella Crinita is a new-ish project created by Joanna Foster and Ernesto Catena in the Uco Valley of Argentina. The last name Catena probably rings a bell if you’re familiar with Argentinian wine, Ernesto is the son of famed winemaker Nicolas Catena Zapata. This husband and wife team first planted vines in the Vista Flores subregion of Tunuyan in the Uco Valley in 2002. Notably they planted Barbera and Petit Verdot, uncommon, and biodynamic viticulture has been the method since day one. The wines are fermented using native yeasts and there is no fining and filtration. Lastly, they’ve eschewed all SO2, none is added at any stage of production. This is our first time stocking Stella Crinita and we’re excited to get it on the virtual shelf. Unique bottle shape too, sort of like a Jura bottle but wider hips. And where else are you going to get a Barbera from the Uco Valley?

TASTE: From the winemaker – “this hand harvested, single vineyard wine is 100% Barbera from the Demeter certified biodynamic estate vineyard in the Vista Flores region of the Uco Valley. Notes of blackberries and boysenberries wrapped in rose petals, violets, and tobacco lift up out to the nose. This leads into layers of ripe cherries and blackberries mixed with coriander, cardamom, and mushrooms on the palate and soft, plush tannins with medium acidity holding up the backbone. A long finish persists with dark fruit and floral qualities.”

PAIR: Impossible cheese burger, garlic parmesan green beans, pommes frites mit mayo, tomato sauce chickpea curry, vegetarian frijoles charros, Risotto alla Milanese, and wild herb lasagna.

Barbera

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Bodega Stella Crinita Barbera 2020