Nose: Aromas of fresh red fruit, quince jelly, spicy notes of sweet paprika, black pepper and menthol.
Palate: Wine of good freshness, expressive, balanced and elegant with a persistent finish.
The Vineyard
Located in the far south of Patagonia, the Otronia vineyard stretches along the shores of the vast Lake Musters, in the heart of the Sarmiento Desert, in the province of Chubut. Planted at a latitude close to the 45th parallel south, the vines benefit from a cold, windy, and very dry climate, with significant temperature variations that promote slow and even ripening of the grapes. The soils, composed of gravel, sand, and limestone deposits, give the Merlot a precise, fresh, and elegant expression, marked by a unique Patagonian identity.
Otronia Winery is located in the heart of Patagonia at the 45’33" parallel, probably the last southern frontier for growing vines. The lacustrine soil, with clays, rocks of fluvial and alluvial origin and aeolian sands, the permanent winds and the dry climate guarantee the production of organic grapes free of diseases. Sarmiento’s cool climate has a great influence on the character of the wines, their acidity, purity, and distinctive aromatic profile.
The Wine
This wine was made with grapes from the block 22, which has one hectare of Merlot with a density of 7000 plants and a combination of alluvial soils with rocks and calcareous material from the Sierra Silva and clay deposits of lagoon origin.
The grapes were harvested on April 1st and the wine was made in concrete tanks through spontaneous fermentation and macerated for 17 days.
Specs
Grape: 100% Merlot
Region: Sarmiento, Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina
Aging was made in untoasted French oak foudres for 20 months
“A wine defined by nature, at the edge of the impossible.”
Otronia was born in Sarmiento, Chubut, on the shores of Lake Musters — a new wine region, the southernmost in the world, and along with it, a new terroir and a new vision. The name Otronia emerges from the ancient villagers who called the lake “Otrón.” Bodega Otronia is located in the heart of Patagonia at the 45’33 parallel, probably the last southern frontier for growing vines. The soil is of lake origin, with clays, rocks of river origin, alluvial and wind sands. The permanent winds and dry climate guarantee the production of disease-free organic grapes. The cold climate of Sarmiento has a great influence on the character of the wines — acidity, purity, and a distinctive aromatic profile.
The estate spans 50 hectares of organic vineyards at an altitude of 258 meters above sea level. Planting began in 2010 with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Torrontés, Riesling, Merlot, and Malbec. The cold of a place like Sarmiento allows for wines with remarkable natural acidity, as well as a very special expression, purity, and aromatic intensity. Chubut wines offer a new sensory profile for Argentina, totally different from that of Mendoza.
The study and understanding of the vineyard in each vintage, and the peculiarities of the place, allow Otronia to produce wines that express the extreme climate and the identity of the region. In the cellar, they use eggs and concrete basins, stainless steel tanks, and 2,500 and 5,000-liter casks of unroasted French oak.
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2019 Otronia ‘45 Rugientes’ Patagonian Merlot - $90 = 32.14%
Whew! First (and hopefully last) time making these posts from my phone. We lost power at 8pm last night and it wasn’t restored until just after I posted here. Still cant get internet working on my desktop (trying to figure out if it’s my equipment or the fiber servive, which is provided my our electric provider. But at least I can brew some coffee (instead of boiling water on the stove and pouring it through the grounds), and recharge the battery pack I used to run my CPAP last night.
Just to add, a tornado touched down last night and blew over 6-8 large trees 1/4 miles from our home and many other places in the community. We have a large branch hanging from an oak tree just off of our back deck. We’ve been here 6.5 years, but 20 years ago a tornado did major damage in this area (including the house we live in).
Goooooooooooooood morning fellow casemates! Labrat reporting for duty. Interestingly, I am right in the middle of planning a trip right through this region in February. So, when I saw where this wine was produced, I was intrigued and excited. I will be trying a LOT more come February so this pre-taste of the regions wines elated me.
This is a great grab-and-please wine for dinner with friends. It’s on the bolder side, but remains very approachable. It’s rather dark, (I took the picture on a window against natural light to show it) and has a bit of a bite, but in a good way. This is a great representation of Merlot, and at this price from this region, I would label it a great buy.
Reviews? We don’t need no stinking reviews! (y’all are tired of this drivel I’m sure) … however…
Revista Adega (Brazilian monthly wine mag) 92 points. A red wine made exclusively from Merlot grapes grown in the Sarmiento area of Chubut, with spontaneous fermentation in cement tanks and subsequent aging for 20 months in untoasted oak barrels. Fluid, captivating and very enjoyable to drink, it displays floral, herbal and spicy notes alongside its fresher red and black fruit profile, all enveloped by vibrant acidity, very fine tannins and a long, persistent and vertical finish, with hints of blood, suede, blackberries and plums. 9/22
Suckling:
Some fresh leafiness and capsicum character to the red plums and cherries. A crunchy, medium-bodied merlot with a nice, dry mouth-feel and texture. The herbal note here gives it a fresh layer. From organically grown grapes with Ecocert certification. Vegan. Drink now.
3/22
Patricio Tapia - Descorchados:
93 points. This is the first release of merlot from Otrania. It comes from the first vineyards planted in the area, in 2010. And, like everything from that location 2,000 kilometers from Mendoza, it has a special character. What comes through here are herbal and menthol aromas, and the sensation of fresh herbs in the midst of red fruits. The acidity is intense, and the tannins are friendly and juicy in the midst of ripe fruit and spicy tones. 1/22
A Tim Atkin 95 floating around?
jancis robinson dot com:
16.5/20 Mid crimson. Beautifully scented with wild and tangy red fruits – smells of tiny dark-red berries in the forest not sweet red fruits from the garden. And that lovely stony/dusty quality I associate with fermentation and ageing in concrete. Chalky, fine, mouth-watering tannin texture. Absolutely delicious, so full of energy. The alcohol gives more weight in the mouth compared with the Pinot but it’s fully integrated. Finely dry tannic finish. It tastes as if there were some whole-bunch component but this may just be the cool climate. Drink 2023-2027 Julia Harding 4/22
2019 Otronia ‘45 Rugientes’ Merlot, Patagonia
Sensory Notes
The Vineyard
The Wine
Specs
What’s Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $540/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, May 11 - Wednesday, May 13
2019 Otronia ‘45 Rugientes’ Patagonian Merlot
3 bottles for $69.99 $23.33/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $189.99 $15.83/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2019 Otronia ‘45 Rugientes’ Patagonian Merlot - $90 = 32.14%
Whew! First (and hopefully last) time making these posts from my phone. We lost power at 8pm last night and it wasn’t restored until just after I posted here. Still cant get internet working on my desktop (trying to figure out if it’s my equipment or the fiber servive, which is provided my our electric provider. But at least I can brew some coffee (instead of boiling water on the stove and pouring it through the grounds), and recharge the battery pack I used to run my CPAP last night.
Just to add, a tornado touched down last night and blew over 6-8 large trees 1/4 miles from our home and many other places in the community. We have a large branch hanging from an oak tree just off of our back deck. We’ve been here 6.5 years, but 20 years ago a tornado did major damage in this area (including the house we live in).
Goooooooooooooood morning fellow casemates! Labrat reporting for duty. Interestingly, I am right in the middle of planning a trip right through this region in February. So, when I saw where this wine was produced, I was intrigued and excited. I will be trying a LOT more come February so this pre-taste of the regions wines elated me.
This is a great grab-and-please wine for dinner with friends. It’s on the bolder side, but remains very approachable. It’s rather dark, (I took the picture on a window against natural light to show it) and has a bit of a bite, but in a good way. This is a great representation of Merlot, and at this price from this region, I would label it a great buy.
@kasandrae
That cork makes it look bottled last month.
Reviews? We don’t need no stinking reviews! (y’all are tired of this drivel I’m sure) … however…
Revista Adega (Brazilian monthly wine mag) 92 points. A red wine made exclusively from Merlot grapes grown in the Sarmiento area of Chubut, with spontaneous fermentation in cement tanks and subsequent aging for 20 months in untoasted oak barrels. Fluid, captivating and very enjoyable to drink, it displays floral, herbal and spicy notes alongside its fresher red and black fruit profile, all enveloped by vibrant acidity, very fine tannins and a long, persistent and vertical finish, with hints of blood, suede, blackberries and plums. 9/22
Suckling:
Some fresh leafiness and capsicum character to the red plums and cherries. A crunchy, medium-bodied merlot with a nice, dry mouth-feel and texture. The herbal note here gives it a fresh layer. From organically grown grapes with Ecocert certification. Vegan. Drink now.
3/22
Patricio Tapia - Descorchados:
93 points. This is the first release of merlot from Otrania. It comes from the first vineyards planted in the area, in 2010. And, like everything from that location 2,000 kilometers from Mendoza, it has a special character. What comes through here are herbal and menthol aromas, and the sensation of fresh herbs in the midst of red fruits. The acidity is intense, and the tannins are friendly and juicy in the midst of ripe fruit and spicy tones. 1/22
A Tim Atkin 95 floating around?
jancis robinson dot com:
16.5/20 Mid crimson. Beautifully scented with wild and tangy red fruits – smells of tiny dark-red berries in the forest not sweet red fruits from the garden. And that lovely stony/dusty quality I associate with fermentation and ageing in concrete. Chalky, fine, mouth-watering tannin texture. Absolutely delicious, so full of energy. The alcohol gives more weight in the mouth compared with the Pinot but it’s fully integrated. Finely dry tannic finish. It tastes as if there were some whole-bunch component but this may just be the cool climate. Drink 2023-2027 Julia Harding 4/22
WineVoices by Wine-Searcher:
here
fwiw
Big Hammer wines
@losthighwayz
Not really competitive, and then there is shipping
Otronia 2021 Otronia 45 Rugientes Merlot Patagonia Argentina
Sale price $29.99
Regular price $50.00
@losthighwayz @rjquillin yep, different vintage and twice the price