Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Terroir Organico Lujan de Cuyo 2021

The classical red 2019 Malbec Terroir Luján de Cuyo was produced with certified organic grapes from their property, selected from places with almost no clay and more limestone. Seventy-five percent of the volume was kept in the concrete tanks, where it fermented for 18 months, while the rest matured in 3,500-liter oak foudres. This has 13.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.74, and it's juicy and balanced, with a similitude with the Malbec Classico. It's from 24 hectares planted on their property, and this is selected from a small plot that has some calcium carbonate. It has a touch of herbs, fresh blood and meat, an iron twist, with complexity and a fine-boned palate with fine tannins and a long, dry finish. The oak is very neatly integrated and folded into the wine, really unnoticeable. 28,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2021.

Black cherries and plums with a darker tone to the fruit and some white pepper. Medium body with a plump, round mouth-feel. Polished, smooth tannins to close. Soft-spoken and understated. (3/2022)

The 2019 Malbec Organico is from Luján de Cuyo. Purple in hue. Unaged, it has a young, easygoing nose of good intensity in which fresh plum and violet notes are prominent. In the mouth, it’s something else with a heightened freshness that brings a nimble flow, medium body, youthful grip and ruggedness. This is a Malbec that quenches thirst without going overboard. With time in the bottle, the variety’s smoothness will come to the front. (JH) (11/2021)