2022 Altos las Hormigas - Malbec Mendoza Classico (750ml)

Altos las Hormigas was founded in 1995 by Tuscan winemaker Alberto Antonini and entrepreneur Antonio Morescalchi, who traveled to Mendoza on a scouting trip and became convinced that Malbec, then an overlooked grape in Argentina, deserved serious attention. They built one of the country's first wineries devoted entirely to the variety, releasing their debut vintage in 1997. The estate takes its name from the ant colonies workers encountered while planting the original vineyards, a quirky detail that has stuck ever since.

The Clásico bottling draws on Malbec from Luján de Cuyo and, in smaller part, the Uco Valley, where vines grow in well-drained, silty sandy soils that allow roots to reach several meters underground. Grapes are hand harvested and gently pressed, then fermented separately by vineyard lot in stainless steel with native yeasts over about ten days, with each tank tasted regularly to track its progress. The finished lots are blended and aged for a minimum of nine months in concrete vats, a choice that keeps the focus on fruit and site rather than oak.

This vintage pours a bright ruby red and offers aromas of plum, black pepper, and eucalyptus with a touch of gunpowder-like minerality. The palate is fresh and medium bodied, with fine acidity and balanced tannins giving it a juicy, easy-drinking character. It works well with roasted vegetables, grilled sausages, or a simple pasta in tomato sauce.