Bodegas Salentein

Primus Chardonnay

Argentina, Mendoza

2022

Meaning 'the first' in Latin, Bodegas Salentein Primus Chardonnay 2022 is a benchmark for high-altitude Argentine winemaking. Crafted from Uco Valley chardonnay from different elevations and soil types, the wine is a riot of stone and topical fruits with a creamy texture and bright acidity that's made for white fish in creamy sauces.

Bodegas Salentein stands as one of the foundational pioneers of Argentina's high‑altitude Uco Valley renaissance. Founded in the late 1990s, the estate was among the first to recognise the potential of vineyards planted between 1,050 and 1,700 metres, where intense sunlight and cold Andean nights deliver pristine acidity and aromatic clarity.

Salentein's winery, designed in a cross‑shaped layout, allows gentle handling from pressing through élevage, with fermentation carried out in stainless steel and French oak depending on the cuvée. For Primus Chardonnay, the focus is on texture and tension: hand‑harvested fruit, partial barrel fermentation, controlled bâtonnage, and careful balancing of oak influence with the natural minerality of high‑altitude sites. The result is a chardonnay with both breadth and precision, reflecting the estate's philosophy of combining European craftsmanship with the unique expression of the Andean terroir.

Tasting
NOTES

No shrinking violet, the nose is a riot of stone fruit and topical flavours: mango, apricot, peach, candied orange and pineapple dipped in cream. There's apple and lemon in the mix too. On the palate concentrated flavours of buttered popcorn, salted caramel and cooked pear spring forth, which are balanced out by bright acidity and a mineral element. It's a rich and full-bodied chardonnay with an exuberant nose, a creamy texture and a saline finish.

Food
PAIRINGS

This Argentine chardonnay is made for fish in creamy sauces. Pair it with grilled turbot in a beurre blanc, butter-poached blue lobster, or a preserved lemon risotto with aged Parmesan.