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.
"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
"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
