Winemaker Notes
Deep ruby red. Deep and dense with glossy blackberries, tar, black chocolate, wet stones, seaweed and savory spices. On entry, there’s very pronounced saline character to the fruit, which is then framed by dense, polished tannins on the full-bodied palate.
Blend: 96% Malbec, 4% Sémillon
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
Sourced from old vines planted in La Consulta, Uco Valley, the 2022 Malbec Gran Reserve includes up to 3% Sémillon, a nod to traditional vineyard practices. Aged for 24 months in Burgundy barrels, this concentrated wine offers ripe plum, geranium and hints of ash and rose over a cedar backdrop. Broad and creamy on the palate, with complex layers and a long, intense finish, the old vines shine through in the wine’s concentration and fine tannins.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Malbec Gran Reserva contains a small amount of Sémillon and was co-fermented over two months in custom Mercurey barrels before being aged 24 months. The nose admirably straddles intense, dark-fruited aromas that mingle with resinous herbs and a gentle, toasty richness that continuously integrates with aeration. The palate offers another degree of density and concentration from the rest of the Altocedro lineup before finishing with a lovely combination of tension, depth and refined tannic grip. This can easily be enjoyed through its 10th birthday.
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James Suckling
Chocolate, vanilla and plums on the nose, followed by a toasty, rich and full-bodied palate. Fine, slightly dusty tannins. Bold vanilla notes at the end.
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Wine Spectator
A bold red, with charcoal and leather accents to the concentrated blackberry and plum flavors. Fresh, minerally acidity cuts through the richness and extends the finish around slightly structured tannins. Drink now through 2032. 500 cases made, 350 cases imported.
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.