Pielihueso 'Los Sauces' Tinto, Los Chacayes, Argentina

Fresh dark fruit and mountain-edged intensity define the 2024 Pielihueso Tinto de los Sauces, a wine that opens with immediacy and place-driven character. Built from an equal blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon drawn from the Bartolomé family’s Los Parrales estate, this bottling favors expression over polish. It is a deliberate statement from a young project committed to letting vineyard and landscape speak first, guided by a deeply personal connection to Los Sauces and its dramatic soils.

Product Details:

• Owners: Celina Bartolomé & Alejandro Bartolomé 
• Winemaker: Alejandro Bartolomé
• Blend Composition: 50% Malbec, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Alcohol: 14.3%
• Vineyard: Los Parrales estate; Cabernet Sauvignon from approximately 70-year-old trellised vines
• Soil: Sandy loam with significant variation
• Farming: Minimal-intervention practices
• Fermentation: Stainless steel
• Aging: Stainless steel
• Fining: Unfiltered
• Method: Whole bunch inclusion

Sensory Description:

The wine opens with aromas of ripe black cherry, plum skin, and cassis, layered with subtle herbal tones and a faint mineral edge. On the palate, Malbec brings supple fruit and freshness, while Cabernet Sauvignon contributes structure, savory depth, and length. The texture is firm but fluid, with natural acidity carrying the wine across the palate and into a focused, lightly grippy finish. Rather than emphasizing varietal signatures, this vintage leans into tension and energy, offering a clear, unadorned expression shaped by slope, soil variation, and mountain proximity.

Winemaker's Background:

Pielihueso is a young, family-led project founded by Celina and Alejandro Bartolomé with the goal of crafting wines that evoke emotion and surprise through minimal intervention. Established after the purchase of their Los Sauces estate in 2019, the project centers on a steep, geologically diverse site positioned at the edge of an alluvial fan. The name Pielihueso reflects their philosophy of stripping wine back to its essence, prioritizing terroir and authenticity over technique or convention.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve slightly chilled to highlight the wine’s natural freshness and tension. This red pairs well with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and rustic dishes where its balance of fruit, structure, and acidity can complement both savory and charred flavors. It is equally enjoyable at the table or on its own, especially when shared casually.