Alta Vista Estate Malbec 2017
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Deep red color with ruby hues. Intense in nose, with ripe red fruit aroma, such as plum, and spices. It is round, silky and has great concentration in mouth. To be served slightly chilled between 59ºF and 61ºF. Can be cellared up to 7 years.
Pair with red meat, preferably medium rare, Argentinean asado, pasta with tomato or cream based sauce, and roasted chicken or beef.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Deep ruby color with a rich berry nose; smooth, fresh, and succulent with hints of vanilla, tangy blackberry, and boysenberry. Concentrated with a long, lush, and balanced finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Estate Malbec was produced with grapes from Las Compuertas in Luján de Cuyo and from their Vista Flores estate vineyard, which is planted at 1,100 meters in altitude. It fermented in concrete vats, and half of the volume aged in used oak barrels for 12 months. This is the breakthrough year for the Estate line, which is quite different from the 2016s and earlier vintages. There is a lot less oak here (only 33% new barrels compared with 100% used in the past), and there is more sense of place and finer minerality. This is a lot purer, with more varietal characteristics, great tannins and a long, tasty finish. This is also lower in alcohol (13.6%).
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James Suckling
The combination of smoke with blackberry and lemon notes, fullish body, moderate tannins and fresh acidity makes this a prototypical modern Mendoza malbec. Drink
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Wine Enthusiast
A big chunky nose is loaded with earthy black-fruit scents. In the mouth, tartaric acidity offsets core ripeness and results in some roughness and scrubbing. In terms of flavor, this Malbec plays up chocolaty berry and cassis prior to a finish with residual tannins and acidic burn. Kobrand.
Other Vintages
2021-
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Robert
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Tasting
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Robert
Parker
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James
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Celebrated for its bold flavors and supple texture, Malbec has enjoyed runaway success in Argentina since the late 20th century. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, where it historically contributed color and tannin to blends. A French agronomist, who saw great potential for the variety in Mendoza’s hot, high-altitude landscape, brought Malbec to Argentina in 1868. Somm Secret—If you’re trying to please a crowd, Malbec is generally a safe bet with its combination of dense fruit and soft tannins.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.