2025 La Cayetana - Criolla Blanca (750ml)
2025 La Cayetana Criolla Blanca is a singular expression from Emilia Armando’s historic finca just outside Mendoza City, built on a tradition of resurrecting ancient Argentine grape varieties. This wine centers on Criolla Blanca, a centuries-old cross of Criolla Chica and Muscat d'Alexandria (locally known as Pedro Giménez), which makes up 90% of the blend and comes from 20-year-old Parral-trained vines in Lavalle’s desert flatlands in East Mendoza. The grapes are fermented in unlined concrete eggs and aged on their lees for six months, delivering texture and depth that invite slow savoring.
The remaining 10% is a carefully selected blend of Viognier, Gewürztraminer, and Semillon from Los Chacayes, aged for two full years under a flor veil—the same biological aging technique used in Sherry production—and added at bottling as a dosage. This marriage of classic Argentine and Mediterranean white varieties yields a wine of striking complexity and balance.
The result is a wine of startling complexity: sea salt, chamomile, white orchard fruit, honey, and citrus mingle with a savory, mineral undercurrent that lingers long on the finish. Rich, dry, and alive with intrigue, it speaks to both the land and the winemakers’ experimental spirit. 94 Points — Decanter.
Tasting notes
- Sea salt and mineral lift with a savory edge
- Floral aromatics of chamomile
- White orchard fruits, honeyed notes, and bright citrus
- Long, persistent finish that remains balanced and dry
Vinification & provenance
- Grape composition: 90% Criolla Blanca; 10% Viognier, Gewürztraminer, Semillon
- Criolla Blanca sourced from 20-year-old Parral (pergola) vines in Lavalle, East Mendoza
- Fermentation in unlined concrete eggs; aging on lees for six months
- Remaining 10% from Los Chacayes, aged two years under flor veil and added at bottling as dosage
- Region: Mendoza, Argentina
- Bottle size: 750ml
Food pairings
- Shellfish and delicate white fish with citrus or browned butter sauces
- Grilled poultry dishes with herb-forward profiles
- Soft, fresh cheeses that allow the wine’s mineral backbone to shine
Awards & recognition
Decanter awarded this wine 94 points, highlighting its unique balance of old-vine richness and contemporary flair.