Altos las Hormigas Malbec Reserva 2020

This cuvée comes from the Valle de Uco, in the heart of Mendoza. The grapes come from vineyards on limestone soils: 20% in the alluvial deposits of the Tunuyán river in Paraje Altamira and 80% in the high alluvial zone of Gualtallary. The medium to large gravels, coated in calcium carbonate, contribute to the wine's structure and length.

The Malbec bunches are harvested by hand and carefully sorted. Fermentation and maceration are carried out at 26 °C with native yeasts and natural acidity, with short, gentle punch-downs to fine-tune extraction. The wine is then aged for 18 months: 75% in large 3,500-litre untoasted French oak foudres and 25% in epoxy-free concrete tanks, then rests for 12 months in bottle.

This wine reveals notes of blueberry, morello cherry, blackberry, red fruits, violet, white pepper, dried herbs, sweet spices and fresh earth. The limestone backbone brings a mineral touch and a clean expression of black fruit. The palate is concentrated yet sleek, carried by lively acidity, a fine texture and lasting tension; its long finish leaves a juicy, spicy impression.

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.