Medium copper-salmon color; strawberry, watermelon, raspberry, red berries, touch of citrus, white flowers on the nose and palate.
Dry; no tannins, refreshing acidity. Crisp, clean; no oak. Light-plus body. Blend of 85% malbec, 10% cabernet franc, 5% cabernet sauvignon. Maceration occurred in pneumatic press with addition of dry ice to prevent oxidation. Pre-fermentation maceration in stainless steel tanks at temperatures less than 45 degrees. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with selected yeasts at temperatures around 62 degrees for 12-15 days. No malolactic fermentation. Separate lots then blended, followed by clarification, stabilization, light filtering, and bottling. Jimena López was the winemaker. 13% ABV
The vineyard and winery’s founders immigrated from Funkenhausen, Germany, to Mendoza, Argentina in the late 1800s. Several years later, Kurt Heinlein founded Funckenhausen Vineyards in the San Rafael appellation of South Mendoza. It is located at the foothills of the Andes mountains near the banks of the Diamante River. He named the winery to honor his maternal ancestors—the Funke family—and the town from which they came. Alejandro Leirado Heilein—Kurt’s grandson—runs the operation today, aided by other family members.
The family-owned winery asserts it seeks to honor Kurt and Alejandro’s German ancestry while forging an Argentine tradition of winemaking for future generations. Kurt and Alejandro decided on a one-liter bottle “because to share you need more than 750 ml,” as the label proclaims.
Funckenhausen is part of Mendoza Family Wines. That is a group of five independently-owned family wineries that specialize in different terroirs in Mendoza and unite for distribution and marketing. Other members include Stocco de Viani, Viamonte, Salvador Patti, and Cuartofincas. Malbec is Argentina’s signature red wine; 75% of all the malbec acres in the world are in Argentina.
Funkenhausen Dry Rosé, Mendoza, Argentina 2022 is simple, tasty, refreshing value rosé. Pleasant, non-confrontational, easy drinker can be enjoyed all day. Red fruit, especially strawberry, watermelon, intriguing touch of citrus. It comes in a one-liter bottle instead of the standard 750 ml. Compares well with higher end boxed wine. My tasting notes consistent with previous vintage. Works as an aperitif. Pair with pork; white meat dishes; shellfish; grilled fish; chicken; vegetarian fare. Cheese—soft, subtle cheeses; mozzarella, feta, cheddar, ricotta, baby swiss; soft goat cheese. $12-16 (1-liter bottle, about $9-12 if it was a 750 ml bottle)
