870. Philippe Caraguel, Champaña Metodo Tradicional Extra Brut Rosé, NV (2014)

AR$??; 13%

This was a gift from Philippe, who is winemaker at Atamisque. When we spoke at the estate restaurant, I asked him of his thoughts on the potential of high altitude Uco Valley fruit for sparkling wines. His response: “try mine!”. So we had a bottle on our last night in Mendoza, and I put the other into my upcoming sparkling wines tasting line-up. Overall, this is quite good, though could do with a half-% less ABV. Mid-salmon. Quite fine bead. Ripe strawberry, but with a savoury gravelly mineral undertow, and a distinctive graphite note. On the palate, rich strawberry and red cherry fruit entry. Some sweetness from the 9 g/L dosage, but restrained. Refreshing acidity. Moderate length, but a slight green note at the finish.