Winemaker Notes
This wine shows a brilliant light ruby red color with magenta hues. On the nose, it starts mineral, a bit reductive, with subtle notes of gunpowder and gypsum. As it opens, it reveals aromas of blue fruits, cassis, with subtle notes of raspberries and pomegranate. Garden aromas are present in the notes of jarilla, chanar flower, chalk and ferrous character. Finally, aromas of tapenade, crisp acidic fruit and tangerine zest emerge. The entry in the palate is fresh and vibrant. Chalky minerality is fully present at the front of the mouth. It is very textured and saline. The freshness lingers on the long, persistent finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This has a strikingly unique and aromatic nose, bursting with intense violets, underbrush and blue fruit. The palate is fresh and precise, with almost effervescent acidity and grippy tannins that give it tension and drive. There’s also a subtle meaty, savory element that adds depth. Distinctive and full of character, with a truly singular aromatic profile. This comes from four specific blocks in their Altamira vineyard. Fermentation was done in concrete without epoxy lining, with subtle extraction. It was then aged in the same vessel. Drink now or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Sourced from a single plot of limestone and gravel soils with deeper topsoils than the Los Amantes bottling, the 2022 Jardín de Hormigas Meteora offers a spectacular example of the purity that is possible from Altamira Malbec. A deep, three-dimensional bouquet of fresh violets, lavender, damp soil and black plums introduces a rich, svelte, seamless and vibrant palate with equal parts slow-moving intensity and high-toned lift. The finish is explosively intense yet quietly composed, displaying an assertive, confident power delivered with class and restraint. A weightless mineral grip floats throughout the wine, perfectly balanced by a taut core of perfectly ripe fruits.
Rating: 97+
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.
With a winning combination of cool weather, high elevation and well-draining alluvial soils, it is no surprise that Mendoza’s Uco Valley is one of the most exciting up-and-coming wine regions in Argentina. Healthy, easy-to-manage vines produce low yields of high-quality fruit, which in turn create flavorful, full-bodied wines with generous acidity.
This is the source of some of the best Malbec in Mendoza, which can range from value-priced to ultra-premium. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay also perform well here.