*Lui Úmile Merlot*

Description

He's just so happy to be in the vineyard. 'He' is famed Mendoza-born and bred winemaker, Mauricio Vegetti, who is considered one of the top winemakers alongside his peers Sebastian Zuccardi (Familia Zuccardi), Juan Pablo Michelini (Zorzal) and Santiago Mayorga (Nieto Senetiner). He is the brains behind the label Gauchezco, a 225 historical property (planted in 1881) in the Maipu region. Mauricio is a winemaker who spends just as much time in the vineyards as he does in the winery itself. He won the award "Young Winemaker of the Year" in 2019 from Master of Wine Tim Atkin and twice was listed as one of the Top 10 Winemakers of Argentina. The Lui project was begun in 2002 by Mauricio and some of his friends who are also winemakers. The project now is hugely successful, producing more than 450,000 bottles a year. The vines for this wine come from a vineyard that is 1200 meters above sea level in the Uco Valley in the zone of Los Chacayes. This zone is close to the Andean foothills and ranges in altitudes of 1200 to 1600 meters above sea level. Here, in this little corner of vineyards subplots, you have a temperate climate that allows for the slow development of grapes, and cool weather that helps achieve supreme balance in the wines they produce. The texture of this wine is smooth and supple, with notes of raisins, cocoa nibs, and forest floor. 60% of this wine spent 12 months in French oak barrels that saw 3/4 years of usage already. Soft and lush, with bright plum and some anise notes that are surrounded by caramel, hints of spice, and wild berries.

Pairing

Spanish Jamón, herb-crusted lamb with a red wine demi-glace, butter-stuffed button mushrooms, bison lasagna, and braised veal chops.