Alta Vista Premium Malbec 2022

Alta Vista was founded in Mendoza in 1998 by the family who owned the Piper-Heidsieck Champagne house, with the aim of expressing Argentine terroir through its signature grape, Malbec. This wine is a selection of the best Malbec from the estate's own vineyards, planted above 1,000 metres. Altitude is central to Mendoza's quality, as strong sunlight ripens the fruit fully while cold nights preserve acidity and colour, and the wide diurnal swing thickens the skins to build tannin and concentration. The wine is aged for ten months in French and American oak barrels. French oak lends finer spice and structure while American oak adds sweeter vanilla and coconut tones, and the barrel maturation softens the tannins through slow oxygen exchange. The colour is deep violet. The nose shows ripe plum and black cherry with vanilla, cocoa and sweet spice. The palate is full-bodied and ripe, with round tannin, good freshness and a warming finish at 14 percent alcohol. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted. It suits grilled steak, roast lamb and hard mature cheeses.