Zolo Torrontés, Mendoza, Argentina 2024
Zolo was founded in 2003 by Patricia Ortiz, one of Argentina's most prominent women in wine, with a mandate to produce estate-grown wines of elegance and terroir authenticity from Mendoza's high-altitude vineyards. The name is a playful reference to the solo/zolo lifestyle her husband leads in Buenos Aires while she tends to the winery in Mendoza. Operating under the Fincas Patagónicas umbrella and imported by Vino del Sol, Zolo has established itself as a benchmark for sustainably farmed, estate-grown expressions of Argentina's most distinctive white grape: Torrontés. The winemaking team is led by Fabian Valenzuela alongside Jean-Claude Berrouet — the legendary former head winemaker of Château Pétrus, who guided that Pomerol estate from 1964 to 2008 — bringing a formidable fine wine pedigree to the production of every bottle.
- Winemaker: Fabian Valenzuela and Jean-Claude Berrouet
- Farming: Sustainably farmed, 100% estate fruit. Hand harvested. Vines average 12 years old at 3,050 feet elevation in Alto Agrelo (Ugarteche), Mendoza. Certified Vegan.
- Variety: Torrontés 100%
- Terroir: Alto Agrelo, Ugarteche, Mendoza, Argentina. Situated at 3,050 feet in the Luján de Cuyo department, Alto Agrelo is one of Mendoza's most prized high-altitude zones — warm, dry days and cool nights driven by Andean air preserve natural acidity and the intense floral aromatics for which Torrontés is prized. Sandy and alluvial soils, characteristic of the Mendoza piedmont, promote excellent drainage and moderate vine vigor.
- Vinification: Grapes chilled before pressing. Pneumatic press with continuous nitrogen blanketing throughout — eliminating all oxygen contact during pressing — to maximize aromatic intensity and freshness. No malolactic fermentation. Acidity corrected to preserve aromatics and natural residual sugar. Bottled in eco-glass.
- Aging: Aged exclusively in stainless steel tanks to retain primary aromatics and freshness.
- Tasting Notes: Pale yellow with green highlights. Highly aromatic nose of white flowers, jasmine, rose petal, and citrus zest — the varietal signature of Torrontés in full expression. The palate is fresh and balanced, with a touch of natural residual sweetness (4.10 g/L) framed by lively acidity (TA 6.00 g/L), and a clean, floral finish. Excellent as an aperitif.
- Food Pairings: Spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes, ceviche, grilled shrimp, fresh goat cheese, and light vegetable dishes.
- Scores: 90 Wine Enthusiast, Best Buy
Zolo Torrontés, Mendoza, Argentina 2024
Zolo was founded in 2003 by Patricia Ortiz, one of Argentina's most prominent women in wine, with a mandate to produce estate-grown wines of elegance and terroir authenticity from Mendoza's high-altitude vineyards. The name is a playful reference to the solo/zolo lifestyle her husband leads in Buenos Aires while she tends to the winery in Mendoza. Operating under the Fincas Patagónicas umbrella and imported by Vino del Sol, Zolo has established itself as a benchmark for sustainably farmed, estate-grown expressions of Argentina's most distinctive white grape: Torrontés. The winemaking team is led by Fabian Valenzuela alongside Jean-Claude Berrouet — the legendary former head winemaker of Château Pétrus, who guided that Pomerol estate from 1964 to 2008 — bringing a formidable fine wine pedigree to the production of every bottle.
- Winemaker: Fabian Valenzuela and Jean-Claude Berrouet
- Farming: Sustainably farmed, 100% estate fruit. Hand harvested. Vines average 12 years old at 3,050 feet elevation in Alto Agrelo (Ugarteche), Mendoza. Certified Vegan.
- Variety: Torrontés 100%
- Terroir: Alto Agrelo, Ugarteche, Mendoza, Argentina. Situated at 3,050 feet in the Luján de Cuyo department, Alto Agrelo is one of Mendoza's most prized high-altitude zones — warm, dry days and cool nights driven by Andean air preserve natural acidity and the intense floral aromatics for which Torrontés is prized. Sandy and alluvial soils, characteristic of the Mendoza piedmont, promote excellent drainage and moderate vine vigor.
- Vinification: Grapes chilled before pressing. Pneumatic press with continuous nitrogen blanketing throughout — eliminating all oxygen contact during pressing — to maximize aromatic intensity and freshness. No malolactic fermentation. Acidity corrected to preserve aromatics and natural residual sugar. Bottled in eco-glass.
- Aging: Aged exclusively in stainless steel tanks to retain primary aromatics and freshness.
- Tasting Notes: Pale yellow with green highlights. Highly aromatic nose of white flowers, jasmine, rose petal, and citrus zest — the varietal signature of Torrontés in full expression. The palate is fresh and balanced, with a touch of natural residual sweetness (4.10 g/L) framed by lively acidity (TA 6.00 g/L), and a clean, floral finish. Excellent as an aperitif.
- Food Pairings: Spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes, ceviche, grilled shrimp, fresh goat cheese, and light vegetable dishes.
- Scores: 90 Wine Enthusiast, Best Buy