Winemaker Notes
Garnet red in color. The aromas and flavors of fresh red fruits such as blackberries and plums are interspersed with aromas of flowers and spicy notes. The oak aging provides vanilla and toasted almond notes. Balanced and voluminous.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2021 Malbec Alta Collection comes from San Pablo in the Uco Valley and was aged for 12 months in a combination of first and second-use French (95%) and American oak barrels (5%). Purple in hue. The raw nose offers fruity aromas of plum and cherry accompanied by mountain herbs and violets. It's dry and juicy on the palate with taut tannins and a tart, refreshing mouthfeel that establishes a nimble, easygoing flow. This is a precise mountain red from a cool year.
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Wine Spectator
Spicy floral and mace details mingle nicely with a vibrant, juicy mix of raspberry and cherry flavors in this version, which picks up abundant spicy details on the finish around mineral-laced tannins.
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.