Malbec, 'Appellation Altamira'

Score

91

Score

96

Score

96

"Very spicy on the nose with nutmeg, cinnamon and other spices plus black fruit. Full and powerful with intense velvety tannins that give a chewy sense to the wine and so much length and energy. It goes on for minutes. Needs three or four years to come together. Best after 2026."

Score

94

"The 2020 Malbec Appellation Paraje Altamira was 75% aged in foudres. Purple in the glass. The nose offers notes of violets, herbs, sour cherry and hints of thyme. Broad and compact with a degree of fat, prominent freshness, grip, chalk and a firm, juicy flow, this is a rich, layered, long-lasting wine."

Score

95

"The 2020 Malbec Appellation Altamira was produced with 100% organic grapes from their Jard¡n Altamira property at 1,200 meters in altitude. This is the first vintage from the new plantings, and the wine doesn't show it; it has depth and complexity, showing how the place is often more important than the age of the vines. It fermented in concrete with indigenous yeasts and 30% full clusters and matured 50% in concrete and the other 50% in untoasted 3,500-liter French oak foudres for 20 months. It has 13.5% alcohol, and even in a warm and dry year like 2020, this Altamira comes through as very balanced and fresh, with notes of aromatic herbs, expressive and open. It has a serious palate, balanced, medium-bodied and dry, with a chalky texture and the seriousness from the cooler years. It seems to transcend the vintage. 11,400 bottles were filled in July 2022."

Score

95

Score

97

"A sophisticated and complex red with blackberries, blueberries, sea shells, terra cotta, crushed stone and sea salt. Medium-bodied, savory and juicy on the palate with a creamy yet firm texture. Opens and softens in the end. Drink now or hold."

Score

16.5

"With fragrant, fresh red fruit and graceful floral notes, this is a beautiful wine with which to begin to understand the top wines of Altos Las Hormigas and their delicate hand in Paraje Altamira terroir. There's an undercurrent of wild herbs and spices, with a sanguine edge and graphite-like tannins on the finish. (AB)"