Altos Las Hormigas Jardin de Hormigas Meteora Malbec 2022
Altos Las Hormigas Jardin de Hormigas Meteora Malbec
Region: Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina
Vintage: 2022
Bottle size: 75cl
Grape: Malbec
ABV: 13.5%
Notes: Vegetarian, Vegan
This wine displays a brilliant light ruby red colour with striking magenta highlights. The nose initially presents flinty characteristics with reductive notes of gunpowder and gypsum, gradually opening to reveal aromatics of cassis, complemented by subtle raspberry, pomegranate notes, tapenade and tangerine zest. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with pronounced chalky minerality moving into bright and inviting red fruit and savoury herbal notes.
Grapes were sourced from four different plots in the Jardín Altamira vineyard, located in Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley. This vineyard is planted at 1,200 metres above sea level, and has a diverse range of soil profiles, created by river currents. The top soil is rich in silt with dissolved limestone, and underneath there are large, granite rocks. The entire vineyard is certified organic, with an extra focus on sustainable management and biodiversity.
The must underwent fermentation in unlined concrete vats using indigenous yeasts, incorporating 15% whole cluster fruit arranged in layers with 10% at the bottom and 5% at the top. Fermentation temperature was maintained at a consistent 22°C (72°F) throughout the process. Following fermentation, the wine aged in concrete vessels for 15 months before bottling. Extended bottle ageing was employed to manage the oxidative characteristics typical of this warm vintage, allowing gradual refinement of the palate structure in a controlled, low-oxygen environment.
Altos Las Hormigas is based in Luján de Cuyo, the first officially recognised appellation in Mendoza and one of the region's premium vine growing areas. The estate is known as a Malbec specialist with a reputation as one of the country's top five producers of this particular variety. Alberto Antonini and fellow Tuscan, Antonio Morescalchi, were so impressed with the vineyards in the area around Mendoza, following their first trip to Argentina in 1995, that they persuaded a few friends to join with them in buying this estate. The estate covers 88 hectares with 56 in production.
https://www.altoslashormigas.com