Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Reserva 2022

Altos Las Hormigas farms in Mendoza, the heart of Argentine wine, with a focus on the Uco Valley where the best fruit grows at altitude. This Reserva blends Malbec from several sites, many on the sandy and calcareous soils that mark the higher ground. The combination of strong mountain sun and cold nights gives a wide diurnal range, which ripens the fruit fully while preserving the acidity that keeps the wine fresh. The free draining soils limit vine vigour and concentrate flavour in the berries. The wine spends twenty-two months in large foudres. Because these big vessels expose less wine to wood, oxygen reaches the wine slowly and the tannins round out over time without picking up heavy oak character. The result is a deep violet red. The nose leads with ripe plum, black cherry and red berries, with black pepper and a touch of earth behind. The palate is full and even, with ripe tannin, fresh acidity and a savoury, lightly spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant half an hour ahead. It is a good match for grilled and roast red meats.