Etchart Cafayate Reserva Malbec 2024

Bodegas Etchart is one of Argentina's oldest wineries, working the vineyards of Cafayate in Salta, among the highest wine regions in the world. This Reserva Malbec is grown at altitude, where intense sunlight thickens the grape skins and the wide gap between hot days and cold nights slows ripening, building deep colour, ripe fruit and firm but fine tannin while preserving freshness. The dry, sandy soils and clean mountain air give healthy fruit and concentration. After fermentation the wine ages twelve months in a mix of French and American oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange rounds the tannin and adds vanilla, spice and a darker, toasty character. It is deep, near-opaque violet-ruby. The nose is intense, with ripe plum and dark berries over black pepper, vanilla, cocoa and a herbal lift. The palate is full and ripe, the high-altitude structure giving firm yet velvety tannin, the fruit generous and carried by enough acidity to keep it balanced through a long, spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted an hour ahead, in a large glass. It suits grilled beef and rich, spiced dishes.