Marcelo Pelleriti Signature Chardonnay 2020 Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 75cl

Marcelo Pelleriti has made his name in two wine worlds, the Uco Valley of Mendoza and the cellars of Bordeaux, where he has earned top scores for the wines he makes. His Signature range is his personal statement, and this Chardonnay shows the same care and restraint that mark his reds.

The fruit is pure Chardonnay from high-altitude vineyards in the Uco Valley, well above a thousand metres, where the altitude and cool nights preserve acidity and aromatics. Some barrel work adds texture and a gentle creaminess, but the aim is balance rather than a heavy, oaky style.

2020 brought a warm and relatively early season to the Uco Valley, giving ripe, expressive white fruit. Careful picking kept the freshness that high altitude provides, so the wine stays lively despite the ripeness of the year.

Expect aromas of white peach, pear and citrus with a subtle note of vanilla and toast. The palate is medium-bodied and smooth, its ripe orchard fruit lifted by clean acidity and rounded by a light creamy texture, finishing long and fresh. Serve chilled, though not ice cold.

A polished, food-friendly Chardonnay for drinkers who like texture without heavy oak. It is the kind of white that flatters a meal without shouting over it, pairing beautifully with roast chicken, creamy pasta, grilled fish and soft cheeses, and making an elegant partner to a relaxed dinner.