Alta Vista Terroir Selection Malbec 2020

Alta Vista lies south of the city of Mendoza and is owned by the D'Aulan family, who also hold wineries in Bordeaux and Hungary. This Terroir Selection draws Malbec from five different sites, blending them to capture the breadth of Mendoza rather than a single plot. The vineyards sit at altitude on the eastern foot of the Andes, where strong sunlight builds ripe, dark fruit and the cool mountain nights preserve acidity and deepen colour, a balance that here carries alcohol to 15%. Stony, free-draining alluvial soils limit vigour and concentrate the grapes. Ageing in French oak rounds the tannins through slow oxygen exchange and adds vanilla, cocoa and sweet spice to the fruit. The colour is dense violet. The nose shows ripe black plum, cherry and blackberry over cocoa, vanilla and a floral lift. The palate is full and rich, with ripe rounded tannin and concentrated dark fruit running to a long, spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 18C, decanting half an hour ahead. It suits grilled steak, braised beef and roast lamb.