Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Clasico
Category
Red
Grapes
100% Malbec
Producer
Country
Argentina
Region
Mendoza
Size
750 ml
Degree of alcohol
13,5 %
Serving temperature
15-17 °C
Available in these provinces
British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba
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Terroir
A blend of 100% Malbec grapes harvested by hand from our vineyard in Medrano and from surrounding vineyards. We choose deep, fresh soils, to delay ripening, and avoid hydric stress. These are sandy loam where the clay component provides mineral nutrients and water retention, while the sand component prevents the silt and clay part from compacting excessively, and guarantees water drainage. In this climate we avoid soils with abundant superficial gravel, which increases the warming effect, and might shorten the ripening season- which we rely on to give our Malbec its intensity and flavor. -
Vinification and maturation
Grapes from different vineyards are vinified separately before the final blend. After a careful, double sorting process, the grapes are softly pressed and fermented with indigenous yeasts in order to express each of the selected vineyard. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks between 24-28 C for 10 days. Each tank is tasted three times a day to determine what is needed. The must is pumped over up to three times a day for extraction, with two rack-and-returns. The wine is then aged for 10 months in concrete piletas.
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Features
The 2014 vintage can be defined by this juicy Malbec. Deep ruby with flecks of blue and even brick. This wine has a nose with traditional notes of crunchy plum, cherries, and chocolate cake but surprises with hints of banana and passion fruit. Super fine tannins and balanced acidity frames a palate of plum, blueberry and white pepper. Can be paired with light fare or heavier dishes, but also can be enjoyed alone.
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Food Pairings
This wine is great with leaner red meats such as bison or ostrich. It pairs well with strong flavours like blue cheese and earthy flavours like mushrooms and cumin spice.
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Medals / Press reviews
90 Points, DJ Kearney, Wine Align May 11, 2016 “The mantra at Altos las Hormigas is ‘less Malbec, more Argentina’: the idea is that fastidious farming on carefully chosen high altitude limestone terroirs might produce more complex and distinctive wines. And here we have one – fresh juicy and minerally, lithe and finely tuned, with a lovely herbal pungency. This is a beautifully balanced wine that deserves lots of smoky asado and lots of good friends to share it with.”
-
Terroir
A blend of 100% Malbec grapes harvested by hand from our vineyard in Medrano and from surrounding vineyards. We choose deep, fresh soils, to delay ripening, and avoid hydric stress. These are sandy loam where the clay component provides mineral nutrients and water retention, while the sand component prevents the silt and clay part from compacting excessively, and guarantees water drainage. In this climate we avoid soils with abundant superficial gravel, which increases the warming effect, and might shorten the ripening season- which we rely on to give our Malbec its intensity and flavor.
-
Vinification and maturation
Grapes from different vineyards are vinified separately before the final blend. After a careful, double sorting process, the grapes are softly pressed and fermented with indigenous yeasts in order to express each of the selected vineyard. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks between 24-28 C for 10 days. Each tank is tasted three times a day to determine what is needed. The must is pumped over up to three times a day for extraction, with two rack-and-returns. The wine is then aged for 10 months in concrete piletas.
-
Features
The 2014 vintage can be defined by this juicy Malbec. Deep ruby with flecks of blue and even brick. This wine has a nose with traditional notes of crunchy plum, cherries, and chocolate cake but surprises with hints of banana and passion fruit. Super fine tannins and balanced acidity frames a palate of plum, blueberry and white pepper. Can be paired with light fare or heavier dishes, but also can be enjoyed alone.
-
Food Pairings
This wine is great with leaner red meats such as bison or ostrich. It pairs well with strong flavours like blue cheese and earthy flavours like mushrooms and cumin spice.
-
Medals / Press reviews
90 Points, DJ Kearney, Wine Align May 11, 2016 “The mantra at Altos las Hormigas is ‘less Malbec, more Argentina’: the idea is that fastidious farming on carefully chosen high altitude limestone terroirs might produce more complex and distinctive wines. And here we have one – fresh juicy and minerally, lithe and finely tuned, with a lovely herbal pungency. This is a beautifully balanced wine that deserves lots of smoky asado and lots of good friends to share it with.”