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4 Gatos Locos Malbec Gualtallary
4 Gatos Locos
Argentina - Mendoza    - Gualtallary

4 Gatos Locos is a project created by Gabriel Bloise, Facundo Bonamaizon, Mariana and Juan Pelizzatti - winemaker, viticulturist and founders of Chakana Winery (respectively). The project centers on a 20-hectare vineyard in Alto Gualtallary, the most prominent growing region in Argentina. The vineyard is situated 1,360 meters above sea level, on a 10% slope on the Sierra del Jaboncillo - a relatively old geological formation near the alluvial fan of the Las Tunas river, in the Tupungato area. The long exposure to arid conditions of calcium rich gravel has created one of the most calcium carbonate-rich areas in Mendoza. This combination of altitude, slope, gravel and the calcium carbonate create uniquely deep, textured wines, with intense color and mineral freshness. Moderate high temperatures controlled by high altitude in sunny conditions produce perfectly ripe grapes of unusually intense color and great vitality, balanced by the mineral freshness of calcium carbonate. Local aromatic plants, naturally occurring in native vegetation areas interspersed in the vineyard, give the wine a unique herbal touch that underline the character of the place.

4 Gatos Locos is packaged with 4 different labels, reflecting the different personalities of the partners in this project. It represents an authentic collective effort to develop an outstanding wine that captures the essence of its place.

Specifications
Appellation
Gualtallary
Wine Type
Red
Varietal(s)
100% Malbec
Age of vines
10 years old
Soil type
Soil is typical from Gualtallary with a high calcium carbonate content.
Vinification
Fermented with natural yeast, macerated for 28 days. Aged in new french oak 500 liter barrels and 5000 liter foudre for 18 months, then aged 12 months in bottle.
Acidity: 5.7 g/l
PH: 3.8
RS: <1.8 g/l
Production
750 (9-liter cases)

Reviews and News

2020 4 Gatos Locos Malbec - 92 PTS - WA

2020 4 Gatos Locos Malbec - 92 PTS - WA

wa93"I tasted two vintages of the first wine they produced, the youngest of which was the 2020 Malbec, from a warmer and riper year than 2019 tasted next to it. This is a dark, aromatic and ripe Malbec at 14.8% alcohol with mellow acidity and a soft and juicy texture with round tannins. It is quite fruit-driven, with integrated oak after aging in used 500-liter French oak barrels and 5,000-liter oak vat. The vines are now certified organic. 15,000 bottles were filled in February 2022. - Luis GUTIERREZ"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (November 30th 2022), 93 pts

2020 4 Gatos Locos Malbec - 91 PTS - TA

2020 4 Gatos Locos Malbec - 91 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"Ex-Chakana winemaker Gabriel Bloise is the man behind this low-intervention Malbec from clay and gravel soils in Gualtallary. Smartly wooded in first and second use barrels, it has sinewy tannins, chalky freshness and black cherry, wild herb and blueberry flavours. 2022-27"

- Tim Atkin (2022 Argentina Special Report), 91 pts

2019 4 Gatos Locos Malbec - 93 PTS - WA

2019 4 Gatos Locos Malbec - 93 PTS - WA

wa93"There is a notable difference in alcohol between the 2019 Malbec and the 2020 I tasted next to it. 2019 is a fresher year, and the wine has 13.9% alcohol, almost 1% less than the previous year. It comes through as fresher and more balanced, more mineral and austere, more serious. It has some dusty tannins that would welcome some food. 10,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2020. - Luis GUTIERREZ"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (November 30th 2022), 93 pts

2019 4 Gatos Locos Malbec - 89 PTS - TA

2019 4 Gatos Locos Malbec - 89 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250

 

- Tim Atkin (2022 Argentina Special Report), 89 pts

2019 4 Gatos Locos Malbec - 88 PTS - WE

2019 4 Gatos Locos Malbec - 88 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 88 pts"Licorice, red berries, and chalk aromas show on the nose. On the palate, it offers chocolate, tart cherry, and earthy flavors with a light balsamic note, framed by unripe tannins. Moderate acidity is just enough to freshen up the lingering finish. - JESICA VARGAS"

- Wine Enthusiast (September 2022), 88 pts

2018 4 Gatos Locos Malbec - 93 PTS - WA

2018 4 Gatos Locos Malbec - 93 PTS - WA

wa93"The 2018 Malbec is a dark and aromatic Malbec with the herbal and somehow wild profile of the best wines from the limestone soils from Gualtallary. The vines are in the process of being certified organic and were planted in 2009. This fermented with 10% full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in 5,000-liter oak foudres and 500-liter oak barrels for 24 months. The nose is floral with notes of violets and the telltale aromas of rockrose, a plant that grows in the zone. It's ripe without excess, juicy, with fine and chalky tannins, a soft texture with nice balance and freshness and a sensation of sweet ripe fruit in the finish. 18,000 bottles were filled in March 2020. - Luis Gutiérrez"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (March 2021), 93 pts

2018 4 Gatos Locos Malbec - 93 PTS - Editors' Choice - WE

2018 4 Gatos Locos Malbec - 93 PTS - Editors' Choice - WE

wine enthusiast 93 pts

"An opaque color and aromas of crisply spiced blackberry and smoke form the opening on this fine Malbec from Gualtallary in the Uco Valley. A concentrated palate is anchored by grabby tannins that should resolve with more bottle age. Toasty blackberry and cassis flavors are backed by chocolaty notes, while this feels smooth and doesn't grind on the finish. Enjoy through 2023. - Michael SCHACHNER"

- Wine Enthusiast (April 2021), 93 pts, Editors' Choice

2017 4 Gatos Locos Malbec - 93 PTS - TA

2017 4 Gatos Locos Malbec - 93 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"Made with fruit from ten-year-old vines in Gualtallary on soils with a high calcium carbonate content, this new wine is spicy and highly perfumed, with notes of rosemary and oregano, dense, compact tannins and a firm, chiselled finish. 2022-30"

- Tim Atkin (Argentina 2019 Special Report), 93 pts

2017 4 Gatos Locos Malbec - 92 PTS - WA

2017 4 Gatos Locos Malbec - 92 PTS - WA

wa92"There is a new and notable addition to Chakana’s portfolio: the 2017 4 gatos locos Malbec from a new vineyard they acquired in Tupungato Winelands in Gualtallary. The nose is clean and ripe, and there’s a juicy and nicely concentrated palate with fine grained, dry and chalky tannins. It fermented with indigenous yeasts in concrete vats and matured in new 500 liter barriques and 5000 liter oak vats for 18 months. It could do with a little more freshness, but I guess that’s the ripeness of the warm and low yielding year. I look forward to tasting the 2018. A great debut. 9000 bottles were filled in December 2018. - Luis Gutiérrez"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #245, October 2019), 92 pts

Producer Information: 4 Gatos Locos

4 Gatos Locos is a project created by Gabriel Bloise, Facundo Bonamaizon, Mariana and Juan Pelizzatti - winemaker, viticulturist and founders of Chakana Winery (respectively). The project centers on a 20-hectare ...
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