ALH BLANCO
UCO VALLEY, MENDOZA

Vintage Notes

This was a shorter harvest than others, but no less intense. The season was marked by strong heatwaves, a year in which the physiological maturity was slightly delayed with respect to the organoleptic. Our work in the vineyard allowed us to obtain the desired alcohol and acidity just before the heat waves, preserving the fruit character and the tension of the skin of the berries. The season also had heavy rains, which threatened to delay the harvest. However, the rains stopped and gave us a window, just in time, to harvest our fruit with optimum ripeness and health. The cold of the last few weeks before harvest gave the grapes the necessary time to finish ripening and balance all their compounds. 2022 was a year with great concentrations, colors, and health, in which fruity and spicy notes prevailed.

vineyard

Pergola trellised 80-year-old vines. Part of the Semillon comes from our Jardin Altamira, trellised in VSP. The vineyards are located in the Uco Valley (San Carlos and Paraje Altamira), in areas with deep soils. The valley has a good range of temperatures between day and night, helping the grapes keeping their natural acidity.

Winemaking

The three grape varieties were harvested early, looking for natural acidity. Each one was vinified separately before the final blend, using different processes. The Semillon coming from San Carlos was pressed, racked and then fermented at 16°C (61°F). The Semillon coming from Altamira was pressed and fermented with 25% skins and 40% stems, for 5 days. Then, it continued fermenting at 16°C (61°F). The Chenin coming from San Carlos was pressed, racked and then fermented at 16°C (61°F). Finally, the Pedro Gimenez coming from San Carlos was pressed and fermented with skins for 3 days, and then continued fermenting at 16°C (61°F). All grapes were fermented with native yeasts in concrete vats. Malolactic fermentation took place on the same vats. It was aged for 6 months in concrete vats. No oak was used in the elaboration process.

Tasting Notes

This is a blend of Semillon, Chenin Blanc and Pedro Gimenez – three emblematic white Mendoza grapes – that shows its terroir with no make-up. It has a silver yellow color with greenish hues. It is very aromatic, displaying on the nose notes of pineapple, white peach, white flowers, jasmine, white pepper, grapefruit and even some notes of fresh eucalyptus. On the palate, the entry is fresh and vertical. This is a fruity wine with clear notes of grapefruit. The mouthfeel is electric, with a granular acidity. It is long and balanced, wine ideal to enjoy as an aperitif with great personality, or to pair it with white meats, light-bodied sauces, and ocean and river fish.

technical data

This is a blend of Semillon, Chenin Blanc and Pedro Gimenez – three emblematic white Mendoza grapes – that shows its terroir with no make-up. It has a silver yellow color with greenish hues. It is very aromatic, displaying on the nose notes of pineapple, white peach, white flowers, jasmine, white pepper, grapefruit and even some notes of fresh eucalyptus. On the palate, the entry is fresh and vertical. This is a fruity wine with clear notes of grapefruit. The mouthfeel is electric, with a granular acidity. It is long and balanced, wine ideal to enjoy as an aperitif with great personality, or to pair it with white meats, light-bodied sauces, and ocean and river fish.
awards

93 pts Descorchados Guide
91 pts Tim Atkin, MW
90 pts Robert Parker

ALH BLANCO
UCO VALLEY, MENDOZA

harvest

2023 was a vintage of extremes. The beginning of spring was cool, with low rainfall, but at the end of October, a heavy frost affected the entire region. Towards the end of spring, a series of heat waves began and they lasted until the end of the harvest. The situation was different in Lujan de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. In Lujan, the heat wave remained until we picked up the grapes. In the Valley, it rained for a few days and this dampened the advance of grape ripening. The early harvest was decisive in maintaining the winery’s style. Despite the challenges of the harvest, these conditions favored wines with great concentration in the mouth, verticality, and texture.

vineyard

Pergola trellised 80-year-old vines. Part of the Semillon comes from our Jardin de Hormigas vineyard, and is trellised in VSP. The vineyards are located in the Uco Valley (San Carlos and Paraje Altamira), in areas with deep lime soils. The valley has a good range of temperatures between day and night, helping the grapes keeping their natural acidity.

elaboration

The three grape varieties were harvested early, to maintain natural acidity. Each one was vinified separately before the final blend, using different processes. Part of the grapes were elaborated in the traditional manner; some fermented with skins and others with 40% stems. All grapes were fermented with native yeasts, in concrete vats. It was aged for 6 months in concrete vats. No oak was used in the elaboration process.

CATA’s notes

This vintage is an equal blend of Semillon, Chenin Blanc and Pedro Gimenez, the three emblematic white grapes from Mendoza chosen to create the only white wine produced by Altos Las Hormigas. It has a lively greenish-yellow color with golden hues. It is very expressive on the nose. On first approach, it reveals fruity aromas of pineapple, white peach and apricot. As the wine opens up, citrus and floral notes appear, especially orange blossom. The fruit fills the mouth with vibrant and fresh acidity, where citrus, ginger and subtle mineral notes stand out. It has a medium volume and a lingering, flavorful mouthfeel. An ideal wine to pair with white meats, light-bodied sauces, or all kinds of seafood.

technical data

Blend: 34% Semillón, 33% Chenin Blanc, 33% Pedro Gimenez
Alcohol: 12%
Total Acidity: 6.9g/l
PH: 3.4
Residual Sugar: 1.80 g/l
Bottle cierre: DIAM / VINC+
Bottle capacity: 750mL
Technical Team: Alberto Antonini, Pedro Parra, Federico Gambetta, Ana Wiederhold, Victoria Maselli.

awards

94 pts James Suckling
91 pts Tim Atkin, MW

ALH BLANCO
UCO VALLEY, MENDOZA

harvest

vineyard

elaboration

CATA’s notes

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