Description
Portillo is the contemporary face of Bodegas Salentein, the pioneering estate that established the first and largest winery in Mendoza’s Uco Valley in 1996, helping transform what had been a remote, barren high‑altitude area into one of the country’s most sought‑after regions for winegrowing. The Portillo label was conceived as an accessible line that could showcase this terroir, taking its name from a historic high‑elevation mountain pass in the Andes—"portillo" meaning “gateway” or “portal”—that once served as a crossing between Chile and Argentina and symbolically opens onto the estate’s vineyards. Built directly within the Salentein vineyard estate at about 4,000 feet above sea level, the Portillo winery itself was designed as a gravity‑flow facility constructed largely from local stone, an innovation that facilitates gentle handling of fruit while harmonizing the architecture with the surrounding mountain landscape. Under the direction of winemaker Carlos Bauzá, with overarching guidance from José “Pepe” Galante—often called the father of modern Argentine Malbec—the brand has grown into a full range of fresh, fruit‑forward, high‑altitude wines that also reflect Salentein’s push for sustainability, including Portillo’s role as one of the first Argentine labels to certify the carbon footprint of all its varietals.
100% Sauvignon Blanc from different parcels of Finca El Oasis estate vineyards, situated at 3,400-3,800 feet above sea level. The grapes were harvested after midnight with state-of-the-art machinery and destemmed in the vineyards, with only the berries reaching the winery. The grapes were then pneumatically pressed, separating the must from the skins and seeds. For further clarification, the must then underwent cold static decantation, after which the must was transferred to another tank to begin alcoholic fermentation. After fermentation was completed, the wine remained in the tank until bottling. Lively and expressive in the glass, the 2024 Portillo No. 3 Sauvignon Blanc opens with a burst of lemon zest and ruby grapefruit, layered over white peach and hints of tropical fruit. A gentle green edge—think fresh-cut herbs and a whisper of green pepper—adds lift and complexity to the nose. On the palate it is sleek and bright, with racy acidity carrying flavors of citrus and juicy stone fruit straight down the center. A touch of mango and pineapple softens the edges, keeping it friendly and smooth. The finish is clean and snappy, with a cool herbal kick.
