2011 Alta Vista Single Vineyard Alizarine Malbec

Alta Vista is in Mendoza. It was founded in 1998 by Patrick d’Aulan, whose family owned Piper-Heidsieck for most of the 20th century, and Jean-Michel Arcaute, an acclaimed Bordeaux winemaker. The men purchased 15 acres of Malbec vines in Mendoza and began making wines that set a new standard for Argentine wines. Arcaute died in 2001, but d’Aulan continues to run the estate and in 2002 released single vineyard Malbecs, the first single vineyard wines in Argentina. Today Alta Vista owns more than 500 acres and exports 1.6 million bottles. Besides Malbec, the estate makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Torrentes and Chardonnay.

Luján de Cuyo was Argentina’s first official wine appellation when it was established in 1993. The appellation is named for the city of Luján de Cuyo, the department capital. Vineyards in this appellation are in the upper Mendoza Valley, and they are often at altitudes of 3,300 feet or more. The soil is sandy and alluvial with clay underneath and moderate rainfall encourages growth. Historically the area grew pink skin grapes for slightly sweet pink or white wines. Since the late 1980s, however, Malbec has been Mendoza’s most important grape, since it makes a rich, dark, robust, age-worth red. The second most important red grape is Bonarda, which is thought to be the same grape that California growers know as Charbono. Italian and Spanish red grapes including Sangiovese, Barbera and Tempranillo were brought by immigrants, and they are grown today. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Torrontés and numerous other red and white grapes are also grown successfully. Considered by many to be the most desirable wine appellation in Argentina, Luján de Cuyo has attracted attention from international winemakers and producers.

This grape produces a dark red wine with plenty of tannins. It is one of the six grapes allowed for blending red Bordeaux wines. Malbec is also the flagship variety of Argentina. The grape needs a lot of sun and heat to mature. It adds complexity and intensity to blends.