Alta Malbec 2021

This cuvée comes from a selection of historic rows in the Angélica, La Pirámide, Nicasia, Adrianna and Angélica Sur vineyards, all in the Mendoza region of Argentina. The plots range from 920 to 1,450 metres above sea level, from the Lunlunta area in Maipú up to the heights of the Uco Valley. Their alluvial soils, mixing clays, silts, sands, pebbles and gravels, contribute to the freshness and depth of the Malbec's expression.

Each lot is harvested separately at ripeness to preserve natural acidity and moderate alcohol. The whole berries are loaded by hand into small fermentation vessels and 225- to 500-litre barrels. Vinified plot by plot with native yeasts, the lots ferment for 10 to 20 days and macerate for 10 to 22 days. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place in barrel, with bâtonnage. Ageing lasts 12 to 18 months in first-, second- and third-use French oak.

This wine reveals notes of blackcurrant, blackberry, black gooseberry, violet, wild flowers, liquorice, vanilla, dark chocolate, leather, black pepper, cinnamon and minerality. The palate, concentrated and enveloping, offers a silky texture, supported by lively acidity and fine, well-integrated tannins. The long, fresh finish extends the black fruits, sweet spices and mineral imprint.

Although Argentina is considered part of the "New World", its winegrowing tradition is much older than you might think, dating back to the Spanish colonial era in the 16th century and later to Italian settlers. Unlike Chile, wine has long been part of the country's culture. No wine-producing country in the world made more progress in the last years of the 20th century (in viticulture, winemaking and, necessarily, finance), which allowed the country's winemakers to raise quality levels and 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. Winegrowing is mainly practised in the foothills of the Andes, particularly in Mendoza, where desert landscapes and high altitudes combine to produce aromatic, intensely fragrant wines. Some vineyards are even planted at up to 3,000 metres above sea level! The terroir here is well suited to the grape variety Argentina has adopted as its own: the ubiquitous Malbec. Originally from Bordeaux, it is now behind some of Argentina's most famous wines, which are characterised by their brilliance and intensity, with floral notes and black-fruit flavours. Other red varieties produced in Argentina are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bonarda, Syrah, Tempranillo and Pinot Noir. Among the white wines, the emblematic grape variety of Argentine winegrowing is Torrontés, which gives a wine with floral and tropical flavours. The country also produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. Today Argentine wines are recognised worldwide for their full-bodied reds and as wines of great quality.