Altos Las Hormigas Reserve Malbec '21

In 1995 Alberto Antonini, a well-known Tuscan winemaker, and Antonio Morescalchi, a young entrepreneur, took a trip to visit the burgeoning wine areas of South America. It only took one stop to find what they were looking for. They were immediately impressed by the vineyards thriving in Mendoza’s high altitude and dry climate.  The two young Italians saw Mendoza as a place where traditional viticultural values and unblemished land could be reinvigorated with a modern winemaking approach. 

Soon they were joined by two friends and business partners; Attilio Pagli, a renowned Tuscan winemaker and Carlos Vazquez, an Argentine Agronomist, who work for 20 years with the early Catena group, planting new varieties, developing previously unknown vineyard sites and contributing greatly to the qualitative change of Argentine viticulture early on.

The 2021 Altos Las Hormigas Reserve comes from vineyards on calcareous soils located in the Uco Valley. 20% come from vineyards in the alluvial deposits of the Tunuyán River in Paraje Altamira, and 80% come from the high and alluvial zone of Gualtallary. These terraces have medium and large gravels, covered with calcium carbonate paste, which contributes to the structure, texture, and aftertaste of the wine.

The grapes harvested by hand, during the fermentation/maceration, gentle punchdowns were made to obtain an optimum extraction. The wine was fermented at 26°C (79°F) with indigenous yeasts then 75% of the wine was aged for 18 months in 3,500L French oak foudres, while the other 25% was aged in concrete.  It was then aged for 12 months in the bottle.

This results in an expressive wine, with a deep sense of place. The nose shows great finesse, with notes of cassis, orange peel, fresh plums, chestnut, carob bark, eucalyptus, white pepper, bay leaf and white roses. The overall mouthfeel is fruity and juicy. The limestone soils really show in the palate, with firm mineral and chalky notes, great texture and a vibrant acidity.