Ello Malbec de Ánfora 2022

Located at an altitude of 1,200 meters in Argentina, Ánfora's Ello Malbec cuvée comes from Malbec vines planted in 1998 in gravelly, silty, and sandy soils. This high-altitude terroir, combined with significant temperature variations, promotes slow and complete ripening of the Malbec grapes, while preserving freshness and concentration. Produced in a limited quantity of only 800 bottles per year, this exclusive cuvée reflects an artisanal approach and a deep respect for the expression of the terroir.

The grapes are harvested by hand to ensure precise selection. Alcoholic fermentation begins with indigenous yeasts and takes place over approximately ten days in stainless steel tanks, with daily manual punch-downs to delicately extract color and body. The wine then undergoes a long post-fermentation maceration of 30 days. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for 14 months in amphorae before blending, clarification, stabilization, and bottling.

This wine reveals notes of ripe black fruit , blueberries, pepper, smoke , licorice , medicinal herbs , and black olive , offering a deep and complex aromatic profile. The palate is intense and structured, driven by an acidity that perfectly balances the body. Firm tannins provide structure and aging potential, while the long, lingering finish underscores the wine's controlled power.

Although Argentina is considered the "New World," its winemaking tradition is much older than one might think, dating back to the time of Spanish colonization in the 16th century and later to Italian settlers. Unlike Chile, wine has long been a part of the country's culture. No wine-producing country in the world made more progress in the final years of the 20th century (in terms of viticulture and oenology, and necessarily financially), which allowed the country's wine producers to raise quality levels and successfully consolidate an international export market. Argentina has now become the fifth largest wine-producing country in the world, after France, Italy, Spain, and the United States. Viticulture is practiced mainly in the foothills of the Andes, and more specifically in Mendoza, where desert landscapes and high altitudes combine to give rise to aromatic and intensely perfumed wines. Some vineyards can even be planted up to 3,000 meters above sea level! The terroir here is well-suited to Argentina's adopted grape variety: the ubiquitous Malbec. Originally from Bordeaux, it is now responsible for some of Argentina's most famous wines, characterized by their brightness and intensity, with floral notes and black fruit flavors. Other red varieties produced in Argentina include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bonarda, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Pinot Noir. Among white wines, the emblematic grape of the Argentine wine region is Torrontés, which produces a wine with a floral and tropical flavor. The country also produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio. Today, Argentine wines are recognized worldwide for their full-bodied reds and as high-quality wines.