Familia Zuccardi, Fosil Chardonnay, Uco Valley 2023

Undergoing no malolactic fermentation, the gorgeous 2023 Chardonnay Fosil is fermented and aged in concrete. The acidity is wow-level, integrated into the whole with seamless ease, fresh and persistent. Light on its feet, it shows a deep conviction of place and minerality, its savory earthiness complemented by notes of green apple and pear. Zuccardi made his first version of this in 2016 at a time when Chardonnay in Argentina was overly oaky and underwent full malolactic fermentation. He soon fell in love with using concrete to ferment and age his whites grown at high altitude. Delightfully complex, structured, and textured, this is a beautiful representation of cool-climate, high-elevation grape growing and winemaking, with flecks of stone, flint, and lemon pith. Layered in waves of flavor, the acidity keeps it fresh and lively throughout a palate of undulating flavor and deliciousness. Drink now through 2033.

The 2023 Chardonnay Fósil is a statement of intent—a vineyard planted in San Pablo with the aim of producing great wine. Ever since its first release, the 2016 vintage, Fósil has quickly established itself as a high-altitude white with a refreshing, non-ripe profile. Even in a warm vintage like 2023, the Chardonnay Fósil offers herbal and reductive notes, with hints of huacatay (a native Andean herb) alongside lime and lemon, all set against a soft backdrop of linden blossom. Lean and vibrant, the palate is pure and chalky in texture, flowing with a light, compact feel. The 2023 vintage solidifies its terroir-driven character.

The 2023 Fósil hails from two vineyards in San Pablo and was vinified entirely in concrete without malolactic fermentation. Opening with a pure, citrus-driven nose padded with an elegantly creamy richness, the palate balances a broad, textural breadth with a gently electric spine of acidity that carries through the herbal, lifted finish. While I found this a touch softer than the comparatively racy Botánico bottling, it remains a lovely expression of Uco Valley.