Altos Las Hormigas
Terroir 2016
100% Malbec
RSD 2,700
AWARDS
93 Points - Tim Atkin, MW (for 2015 Vintage)
92 Points - Guía Descorchados (for 2015 Vintage)
92 Points - Tim Atkin, MW (for 2014 Vintage)
90 Points - Robert Parker (for 2014 Vintage)
VINEYARD
100% Uco Valley. Grapes are harvested by hand from a blend of high density vineyards located in the sub region of La Consulta as well as two areas in Tupungato. These are gravelly, alluvial soils with abundant stones, but with limited active limestone presence.
VINTAGE
A cold and rainy spring was the debut of a season marked by low averages temperatures, very unusual for Mendoza standards. The cold spring made a difficult flowering period, and also berry set. The grapes were also affected by the rains, ripening at a much slower pace than previous vintages. The lower average temperature meant a delayed on harvesting time of about a month. It was a harvest with low yields, with losses of around 40%, but gaining in great quality and concentration on the wines. This fresher year was very favorable to the winery’s style: wines with freshness, balance, great character but also drinkability, and most certainly a sense of place. It was a harvest full of lessons, big but beautiful challenges and lots of learning… 2016 has been and will indeed be a memorable harvest.
WINEMAKING
Grapes from different vineyards are vinified separately before the final blend. The grapes are selected from a double selection table before going to small stainless steel tanks. The alcoholic fermentation begins with indigenous yeasts at 24-28°C for 12 days. Each tank is tasted three times a day to determine what is needed. 75% of this Malbec is aged in concrete pools for 12 months and 25% is aged in untoasted large oak foudres for 18 months. Ageing for 6 months in the bottle.
TASTING NOTES
The freshness of the Uco Valley invades this wine as it shows the ultimate expression of this special wine region in Mendoza. With an intense ruby red color, the nose is fruity and delivers some notes of violets. It has a medium-body palate underpinned by structured tannins, filled with flavors of ripe fruits. The finish is fresh, with a vertical mineral bouquet. It is ideal to pair with Mediterranean cuisine and red meats.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Region: Uco Valley, Mendoza
Alcohol: 13.2%
Acidity: 5.68 g/l
pH: 3.7
Residual Sugar: 1.70 g/l
Winemaker: Alberto Antonini
Altos Las Hormigas
Reserve 2014
100% Malbec
RSD 4,140
AWARDS
93 Points - Tim Atkin, MW (for 2014 Vintage)
92 Points - James Suckling (for 2014 Vintage)
93 Points - Robert Parker (for 2014 Vintage)
17.5 Points - JancisRobinson.Com - Julia Harding, MW (for 2014 Vintage)
VINEYARD
Malbec is hand-picked from 100% calcareous soil of Uco Valley, limestones over alluvial deposits of the Tunuyan River in Altamira, the alluvial terrace of Arroyo Grande in Vista Flores, and the alluvial with calcareous highlands of Gualtallary. The terraces contain medium pebbles with occasional boulders covering calcium carbonate paste of around 7-10% active lime which contributes structure, texture and a long, impressive finish.
VINTAGE
The season began with severe frosts that lowered yields by 30%. November brought a few dry Zonda winds that challenged the flowering stage and lowered yields even more. December and January brought heatwaves and late summer rains and lowered temperatures moved into the region just before harvest. In three weeks the region received levels equivalent to two years’ worth of rain; therefore grapes harvested prior to mildew or rot setting in were showing admirable level of acidity, lower alcohol content and fine tannins.
WINEMAKING
Grapes were harvested by hand with delicate and conscious bunch selection. During fermentation, pigeage and a very gentle treatment were used on the cap to avoid over extraction. The juice fermented using native yeast, with no corrections of tartaric acid. The wine was matured in 3,500 ltr un-toasted foudres for 18 months, and six months in the bottle. There was a coarse filtration prior to bottling, to ensure no interference with the quality of the wine.
TASTING NOTES
Complexity and a very present local character. The mountains, the altitude and the limestone soils grant this Malbec diverse layers. It is worth giving the wine some time so they slowly unveil. The presence of limestone soils in the Uco Valley is profoundly noticeable in this wine. The combination of mineral character, freshness and very fine grain tannins, present and structured, with a nice length and a chalky sensation on the palate take this Malbec to the next level, the mineral dimension.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Region: Uco Valley, Mendoza
Closure: Natural Cork
Alcohol: 14.2%
Acidity: 5.15 g/l
pH: 3.9
Winemaker: Alberto Antonini
Altos Las Hormigas
Reserve 2018
100% Malbec
RSD 4,140
AWARDS
94 Points - Descorchados (for 2018 Vintage)
91 Points - James Suckling (for 2018 Vintage)
93 Points - Tim Atkin, MW (for 2018 Vintage)
VINEYARD
Grapes from vineyards on calcareous soils located in the Uco Valley, in the alluvial deposits of the Tunuyán River in Paraje Altamira and in 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.
VINTAGE
In the months previous to the harvest the changing seasons brought quite variable weather. Spring kept us on our toes, with small pockets of frost lowering yields in the higher altitude vineyards, notably in the cool Paraje Altamira area of the Uco Valley. Some of the early days of summer reached temperatures of up to 40°C (104°F). However the climate conditions during the harvest were immensely favorable, with very little rain, allowing the team to pick the grapes according to schedule. Regionally, 2018 came close to “normal” grape volumes, with balanced yields and healthy grapes of excellent quality and good concentration. This was truly a fantastic vintage.
WINEMAKING
100% Malbec grapes harvested by hand, selecting the bunches with care. During the fermentation, a very delicate treatment was given on the cap to avoid over-extraction. The juice fermented with indigenous yeasts. The wine was aged for 18 months in 3,500 liters untoasted, French oak foudres, and then spent 12 months in the bottle.
TASTING NOTES
Made with selected grapes from vineyards located in the highlands of the Uco Valley; the vines are rooted in limestone soils that grant this Malbec its mineral notes. On the nose, it also shows notes of white pepper, graphite, and red and black fruits. As it spends time in the glass, it unfolds its true character, complex and multilayered. It is fresh in the mouth, with fine-grained tannins and a spicy finish. Its intensity is revealed in its concentrated flavors that remain for a long time in the palate.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Region: Uco Valley, Mendoza
Closure: DIAM 30
Alcohol: 13.9%
Acidity: 5.25 g/l
pH: 3.7
Residual Sugar: 2.0 g/l
Winemaker: Alberto Antonini, Attilio Pagli, Leonardo Erazo
Altos Las Hormigas
Gualtallary 2018
100% Malbec
RSD 6,720
AWARDS
97 Points - Robert Parker Wine Advocate - (for 2018 Vintage)
96 Points - DESCORCHADOS - (for 2018 Vintage)
96 Points - Tim Atkin, MW - (for 2018 Vintage)
94 Points - James Suckling - (for 2018 Vintage)
VINEYARD
100% of this Malbec stems from the loamy soils of Gualtallary, lying at 1,300 meters above sea level. The soil presents limestone covered pebbles and gravels that occupy 50-70% of the soil volume, with a high percentage of free calcium carbonate in the profile granting to the wine a chalky, fresh minerality.
VINTAGE
In the months previous to the harvest the changing seasons brought quite variable weather. Spring kept us on our toes, with small pockets of frost lowering yields in the higher altitude vineyards, notably in the cool Paraje Altamira area of the Uco Valley. Some of the early days of summer reached temperatures of up to 40°C (104°F). However, the climate conditions during the harvest were immensely favorable, with very little rain, allowing the team to pick the grapes according to schedule. Regionally, 2018 came close to “normal” grape volumes, with balanced yields and healthy grapes of excellent quality and good concentration. This was truly a fantastic vintage.
WINEMAKING
The grapes go through a double selection process and are released by gravity into small concrete tanks. The alcoholic fermentation begins with indigenous yeasts at 24ºC for 15 days. In order to maintain a careful, gentle handling, pumping is not used; the cap is rotated by manual pigeage throughout the fermentation. The wine was matured in 3,500 ltr untoasted foudres for 18 months, and 12 months in the bottle. There was a coarse filtration prior to bottling, to ensure no interference with the quality of the wine.
TASTING NOTES
This wine comes from a vineyard with its roots in communion with caliche (calcium carbonate conglomerate) which grants a special mineral salinity to this Gualtallary Malbec. On the first approach in the nose, it is quite austere, but patience is rewarded with notes of rosemary, lavender, and graphite. It shows the structure and intensity that is a feature of Malbecs from this area in the Uco Valley, with a fresh palate, fine-grained tannins, and a long and delightful length.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Region: Uco Valley, Mendoza
Closure: DIAM 30
Alcohol: 13.9%
Acidity: 5.33 g/l
pH: 3.7
Residual Sugar: 1.89 g/l
Winemaker: Alberto Antonini, Attilio Pagli, Leonardo Erazo