Sunal Exploración Criolla Chica – 2021

6,889 to 7,545 ft.
Criolla chica

Caught between a mountain range and hundreds of miles of desert, Amaicha del Valle is a cluster of indigenous homesteads scratching out a living to the south of Cafayate. Fittingly, the grape they grow, on a patchwork of small family plots, is Argentina’s indigenous grape, criolla chica.

Criolla isn’t one varietal but rather the name for dozens of semi-feral hybrids descended from grapes brought to Argentina by conquistadors and missionaries. Winemaker (and longtime friend) Agustín Lanús was the first in the Calchaquí Valley (and the second in all of Argentina) to treat criolla as a serious wine. Today, you might call it “the Beaujolais of the Andes,” a lighter counterpoint to malbec. We imported Augustín’s first criolla, Ilógico, a few years back and can think back fondly to its notes of dried roses, spice, and dates. We are pleased to report that Exploración is equally beguiling. You won’t drink another wine like it. So drink now (why wait?)