2021 | Altos Las Hormigas | Jardin de Hormigas Meteora Malbec

The wine showcases a clear ruby red hue and opens with initial notes of gunpowder and graphite on the nose. On the palate, it maintains tension with textured, well-balanced tannins. Flavours of cherry, violet, chamomile, and herbaceous undertones lead to a prolonged and concentrated finish.

Producer Information

Altos Las Hormigas is a well-regarded wine estate based in the Lujan de Cuyo subregion of Mendoza, Argentina. The estate was founded by Tuscan-based Italian businessman Antonio Morescalchi and international (but fellow Tuscan) winemaking consultant Alberto Antonini. The pair were looking to expand on the wine region's potential as well as that of its now well-established flagship grape, Malbec. The pair purchased 206 hectares (530 acres) of land in Lujan de Cuyo and began planting in 1996. However, local ant colonies plagued the nascent vineyard and the ants – "hormigas" in Spanish – gave the winery its name. This vineyard now boasts 40 hectares (100 acres) of Malbec and 5.6 hectares (15 acres) of Bonarda. Fellow Tuscan winemaker Attilio Pagli and Argentinian agronomist Carlos Vazquez joined the project in the early years. The venture further expanded in 2017, with 32 hectares (79 acres) of vineyard planted at the organically run Jardin Altamira vineyard in the Uco Valley. The property, which had been acquired by the winery six years earlier, covers a total of 55 hectares (136 acres) and the vines are planted in 22 distinct plots across the site. Altos Las Hormigas makes a range of labels including the Malbec Clásico, Malbec Reserve, Malbec Terroir and Malbec Appellation titles. A Tinto is also produced from a roughly 50-50 blend of Bonarda and Malbec, sometimes with a little Semillon. A rarer white – Altos Las Hormigas Blanco – can sometimes be encountered, made from fruit grown in the Uco Valley. Blend composition varies from vintage to vintage although Semillon and Chenin Blanc regularly feature in major proportions. In some years, the local Pedro Giménez (not to be confused with southern Spanish workhorse Pedro Ximénez) is also added to the blend. For the sister label, Colonia Las Liebres, see the Colonia Las Liebres producer entry.

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