Altos Las Hormigas Gualtallary Malbec 2016

Robert Parker, Jr.s Wine Advocate: "My favorite of the collection, the 2016 Malbec Appellation Gualtallary is a wild and structuredexpression of the grape, place and vintage. Produced with grapes grown at 1,300 meters in altitude, it fermented in concrete vats with indigenous yeastsand aged in untoasted 3,500-liter French oak foudres for some 22 months. It comes from two selected plots in Gualtallary and has a very perfumed nose thatis intoxicating, with notes of decayed violets, wild herbs and an earthy touch. The palate is pure chalk, with mineral notes, ultra refined tannins anda dry, tasty finish. This has a similar character to the Reserve, with higher minerality and the added freshness of 2016. This has to be one of the bestwines ever produced at Altos Las Hormigas. It has the balance to develop nicely in bottle. Drink date: 2018 - 2028." Jun 2018Winery: "This Malbec fully shows you its origins: Gualtallary. In this vintage particularly, the character- istics of this terroirfavored the wine. Especially the soils of this appellation, with its marked slopes and its low humidity retention capacity, helped the excess of waterin a year that was more rainy than average in the area- to drain easily and benefit grape concentration. A solid violet red color reveals a dense, concentrated,compact wine. Notes of spices and minerality make a complex nose. On the palate, a supple entry, dark berries and spices. A very structured and quite wildMalbec, with firm fine-grain tannins, showing its calcareous foundations and columns. The mouth feel is full of thrilling freshness and balance, with along and persistent finish." Bottle 750ml Varietal 100 percent Malbec Alcohol percent 14.0 percent Total Acidity 5.62 g/l pH 3.8 Aging Aged 22 months in 3,500 liter untoasted Foudres Region Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina