Wine Altos Las Hormigas, Malbec Reserva, 2014
While this wine displays all the traditional Malbec characteristics expected from a quality Malbec, there is so much more to this wine. The terroir is truly exhibited with this wine, with a chalky note, fine tannins and exceptional length that sets this wine apart.
Characteristics
Wine Style:
Red - A bright and youthful Malbec that is smooth, easy-drinking while offering an interesting chalky note.
Tasting Notes:
The combination of mineral character, freshness and very fine grain tannins, present and structured, with a good length and a chalky sensation on the palate, take this Malbec to the next level, the mineral dimension.
Gastronomy:
It can be served with grilled red meats, also fantastic with black roasted, grilled tenderloin, lamb stew or rabbit. Steamed vegetables.
Vineyards:
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.
Ageing method:
Matured in 3,500 ltr untoasted foudres for 18 months, and six months in the bottle.
Winemaking process:
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.
Interesting notes:
2014 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.
