ALH Malbec Reserve-en – Altos Las Hormigas

MALBEC RESERVE

UCO VALLEY, MENDOZA

Vintage Notes

This was a very dry year, with an average rainfall below the region’s historic records. The weather in the months previous to the harvest marked the hottest minimum temperatures of the last ten years, with very hot days. These conditions produced very concentrated grapes, with amazing potential. February brought cooler days, so we rapidly organized the harvesting schedule to pick up the grapes at their optimum ripening level. By the first days of March, all the grapes were in the winery.

vineyard

Grapes from vineyards on calcareous soils located in the Uco Valley. 20% come from vineyards in the alluvial deposits of the Tunuyán River in Paraje Altamira, and 80% come from the high and alluvial zone of Gualtallary. These terraces have medium and large gravels, covered with calcium carbonate paste, which contributes to the structure, texture, and aftertaste of the wine.

Winemaking

100% Malbec grapes harvested by hand, selecting the bunches with care. During the fermentation/maceration, very careful pigeages were made in order to obtain an optimum extraction. The juice was fermented at 26°C (79°F) with natural acidity and indigenous yeasts that grant freshness, typicality and vibrancy. 75% of the wine was aged for 18 months in 3,500 liters untoasted, French oak foudres, while the other 25% was aged in concrete pools with no epoxy, so the fruit preserves its intensity and nature. Aged for 12 months in the bottle.

Tasting Notes

This Malbec has a bright red color and a very intense first nose. Aromas of black fruits, such as blueberries and cherries, are complemented by notes of violets, white pepper, and aromas of the foothills of Mendoza’s mountains, typical of wines from calcareous soils. The fruit is the central character when the wine enters the mouth, with an acidity that works like a train that goes through different stations until it reaches the end of the palate, where the wine remains for a long time showing tension and a fine texture.

technical data

Vintage: 2020
Variety: 100% Malbec
Closure: DIAM 10
Bottle Capacity: 750ml
Alcohol: 13.8%
Total Acidity: 5.6 g/l
pH: 3.66
Residual Sugar: 1.8 g/l
Winemakers: Alberto Antonini, Attilio Pagli, Federico Gambetta, Ana Wiederhold
Vineyard Management: Juan José Borgnia, Victoria Maselli

awards

94 pts Tim Atkin, MW
94 pts Descorchados Guide by Patricio Tapia
93 pts Robert Parker
93 pts Adega Magazine – Brazil
92 pts Vinous Media

MALBEC RESERVE

UCO VALLEY, MENDOZA

Vintage Notes

The season began with a fresh and dry spring that favored good fruit set in the vines. During summer, temperatures were moderate, and in February and March – the months in which we pick up the grapes – we had bouts of rain. By the end of the season, rains lowered and temperatures were not very high; these last days were warm and stable, keeping the grapes turgid and avoiding over-ripeness. These conditions produced very fresh, highly aromatic wines, with intense colors, elegant tannins, and a great structure. Overall an excellent vintage for Altos Las Hormigas.

vineyard

Winemaking

100% Malbec grapes harvested by hand, selecting the bunches with care. During the fermentation/maceration, very careful pigeages were made to obtain an optimum extraction. The juice was fermented at 26°C (79°F) with natural acidity and indigenous yeasts that grant freshness, typicality and vibrancy. 75% of the wine was aged for 18 months in 3,500 liters untoasted, French oak foudres, while the other 25% was aged in concrete pools with no epoxy, so the fruit preserves its intensity and nature. It was aged for 12 months in the bottle.

Tasting Notes

The 2021 vintage produced an expressive wine, with a profound sense of place. Limestone is the unifying thread that goes through the vineyards where this Malbec comes from. It has an intense red color with deep dark red hues. The nose shows great finesse, with notes of cassis, orange peel, fresh plums, chestnut, carob bark, eucalyptus, white pepper, bay leaf and white roses. The overall mouthfeel is fruity and juicy. The limestone soils make a statement in the palate, with firm mineral and chalky notes, great texture and a vibrant acidity.

technical data

Vintage: 2021
Variety: 100% Malbec
Closure: DIAM 10
Bottle Capacity: 750ml
Alcohol: 13.5%
Total Acidity: 5.7 g/l
pH: 3.71
Residual Sugar: 2.1 g/l
Technical Team: Alberto Antonini, Pedro Parra, Federico Gambetta, Victoria Maselli.

awards

94 pts Descorchados Guide by Patricio Tapia
93 pts Tim Atkin, MW
93 pts Vinous Media
92 pts James Suckling

MALBEC RESERVE

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

Grapes from vineyards on calcareous soils located in the Uco Valley. 80% come from our Jardin de Hormigas vineyard in Paraje Altamira, and 20% come from the high and alluvial zone of Gualtallary. These terraces have medium and large gravels, covered with calcium carbonate paste, which contributes to the structure, texture, and aftertaste of the wine.

Winemaking

100% Malbec grapes harvested by hand, selecting the bunches with care. During the fermentation/maceration, brief and gentle pumping-over were carried out, up to 3 times a day, to obtain an optimum extraction. The juice was fermented at 24°C (75°F) with natural acidity and indigenous yeasts that grant freshness, typicality and vibrancy. 75% of the wine was aged for 15 months in concrete pools with no epoxy, while the other 25% was aged in 3,500 liters untoasted, French oak foudres. It was aged for 12 months in the bottle.

Tasting Notes

Mountain, altitude and limestone soils make this wine a Malbec with different layers, complexity and a very present sense of place. It has a deep red color with subtle magenta hues. The nose is complex, with two distinct groups of aromas: on a first approach, an intense fruit profile with notes of raspberry, cassis and plum. As the wine opens, the profile turns towards notes of thyme, chamomile, jarilla, wet stone, graphite and menthol. On the mouth, it has an enveloping natural acidity that supports a juicy, structured palate. With textured tannins and a high chalky mouthfeel, this is a Malbec with a long finish, displaying notes of red fruits, gunpowder and underbrush.

technical data

Vintage: 2022
Variety: 100% Malbec
Closure: DIAM 10
Bottle Capacity: 750ml
Alcohol: 13.5%
Total Acidity: 5.7 g/l
pH: 3.7
Residual Sugar: 2.1 g/l
Technical Team: Alberto Antonini, Pedro Parra, Federico Gambetta, Victoria Maselli.

awards

95 pts Descorchados Guide by Patricio Tapia
93 pts Tim Atkin, MW

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