2018 Altos Las Hormigas, Gualtallary Malbec, 6x750ml
Availability: In stock
Case size: 6 / Bottle size: 750ml
Critics Score: 97
Publication: Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate
Drinking Dates: 2021-2030
Producer
Altos Las Hormigas is based in Luján de Cuyo, the first officially recognised appellation in Mendoza and one of the region's premium vine growing areas. The estate is known as a Malbec specialist with a reputation as one of the country's top five producers of this particular variety. Alberto Antonini and fellow Tuscan, Antonio Morescalchi, were so impressed with the vineyards in the area around Mendoza, following their first trip to Argentina in 1995, that they persuaded a few friends to join with them in buying this estate. The estate covers 88 hectares with 56 in production.
Vineyards
100% of this Malbec was grown on the loamy soils of Gualtallary, lying at 1,300 metres above sea level. There, limestone-covered pebbles and gravels occupy 50-60% of the soil volume, with a high percentage of free calcium carbonate giving the wine a chalky, fresh minerality. A small percentage of clay (3%) allows the Malbec to express fresh fruit flavours.
Vinification
The grapes went through a double selection process and then released by gravity into small concrete tanks. Fermentation began with indigenous yeasts at a controlled temperature of 24°C and continued for 15 days. Pumping over was not carried out in order to minimise over-extraction of grape skin compounds. Instead, the cap was rotated by manual pigeage throughout the fermentation. The wine was matured in 3,500 litre untoasted foudres for 22 months, followed by 6-12 months in bottle.
Vintage
In the months leading up to harvest, the changing seasons brought quite variable weather. Some of the early days of summer reached temperatures of up to 40°C. However, the climate conditions during the harvest were immensely favourable, with very little rain, allowing the team to pick the grapes according to schedule. Regionally, 2018 came close to “normal” grape volumes, with balanced yields and healthy grapes of excellent quality and good concentration. This was truly a fantastic vintage.