As we wind down summer here this is an easy one to throw back with a little chill on it. Criolla Chica aka Mission in the US is somewhat of a hipster favorite down here these days. I don’t have much experience with the grape but this was pretty nice and not so different than a good Schiava but with maybe a little more tannic grip although that isn’t to say it’s heavy on tannins. I drink all of my reds at a cooler temp than most people and slightly overdid it with this one. Initially it didn’t show much on the nose or palate but as it warmed some lovely earthy rose scents appeared. A dusting of cinnamon scent. Just interesting enough to captivate yet simple and clean enough to enjoy without concentrating on it. Pretty zippy acidity keeps it refreshing. Anyone who thinks South America is all about heavy fruit bombs has not had this.
Made from 80-year-old vines farmed organically at 1,500 meters. Fermented in cement vessels with ambient yeast and 1/3 whole cluster. Then goes into concrete eggs for eight months and a year in bottle before release. Pretty sure this gets exported to the US. Recently paid about $25 in Argentina.
