Manos Negras, Pinot Noir, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, 2021

Producer Profile

Alejandro Sejanovich is arguably Argentina's most knowledgeable viticulturist, working as vineyard director for Bodega Catena Zapata for 16 years, he pioneered high altitude vineyard planting and conducted ground breaking research on Mendoza Malbec clones.

Manos Negras focuses on latitude winemaking, planting Torrontes in the northern stretches of Cadayate in Salta, Pinot Noir in the southern-most region of Neuquen in Patagonia and cultivates 50 year old Malbec vines in the prized Altamira appellation in the Uco Valley.

Viticulture

Alejandro joined Manos Negras in 2010 as one of Argentina’s most gifted viticulturists. Few people can explain the country’s different terroirs as well – and in three different languages. Following a year at the prestigious Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique in France, he went on to run the viticultural research and development side of Bodega Catena Zapata for 16 years. Sejanovich’s experience with Catena means that he knows Argentina’s vineyards intimately and is able to source the right material to express his distinctive range of styles. ‘Great vineyards are a winery’s most important asset,’ he says.

Winemaking

Aged in old French Oak, with a tiny proportion in new oak to keep the bright fruit flavours.

Oak Ageing

Time: 9 Months
Type: French Oak
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: 10

Tasting Note

The bright sunny days give a deep blackish colour and dark fruit flavours while the cool mountain nights produce produce violet aromas and a soft, supple texture.

Food Matching

Fatty fish, roasted chicken or pasta dishes.