Alta Vista Malbec Grande Reserva 2004
Bodega
Range
Wine
Vintage
Origin
Price
Appearance
Bright clear ruby to scarlet red.
Nose
Blackberry and plum preserves. Touches of cinnamon and vanilla on gentle wafts of oak.
Palate
Medium bodied. Black fruit preserves true to nose, accompanied by a fresh acidity. Hints of cinnamon and clove, smokey wood. Soft, fine tannins with a dry and spicy finish.
Overall
Very well constructed wine from French-owned winery Alta Vista. The grapes are 56% sourced from Lujan de Cuyo, and 46% sourced from the higher altitude Valle de Uco an hour and a half south. The higher altitude grapes deliver thicker skins and hence more polyphenols and flavour concentration. The result is plenty of concentrated fruit character and signature notes of the 12 months French oak treatment. Drinking well now but the fresh acidity suggests another year or two will deliver a very nicely integrated drop.
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(September 06)