2020 Aluvional Paraje Altamira Malbec
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Tasting notes
Movement of the grapes by gravity, fermentation in concrete vessels with ambient yeasts. Aged in concrete vessels. There is lots of vibrancy to this expressive Malbec, selected from some of their stoniest soils. Fresh red - fruit and floral notes make for a juicy wine which has fine powdery tannins and charming, poised style. It is one of the most expressive of the Aluvional line, which offers a great exploration of different Uco Valley sub regions through Malbec. (AB)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2020 Malbec Aluvional Paraje Altamira hails from the eponymous region of the Uco Valley and was fermented and aged in concrete vats. Purple in the glass. The primary nose offers herbal notes, plum jam and thyme. Taut and juicy, the chalky, restrained palate and calibrated acidity produce a rich, balanced mouthfeel. The warm year stripped the floral notes from this raw, terroir-driven wine.
I am very impressed with the wines from 2020, especially given that it is a much more challenging vintage—very warm and with high ripeness that had to be controlled. The 2020 Aluvional Paraje Altamira is a little juicier and fuller than the 2019, but the character of blood, iron and raw meat is more acute here. Both vintages have similar levels of alcohol (14%) and acidity, but the mouthfeel is quite different; 2020 is gentler and more tender with a silky texture. 8,700 bottles were filled in June 2021.
About the producer
Based in the Uco Valley, Zuccardi is one of Argentina’s leading producers. Family owned and run – today by third-generation Sebastián Zuccardi – the property crafts pure-fruited wines that speak of their mountainous Mendoza terroir.