Alto 2021
Trade Tools
Argentina / Mendoza
Alta Vista’s iconic wine, Alto, represents the benchmark among Argentine wines, crafted from the highest quality grapes from small vineyard parcels with low yields. Malbec from Las Compuertas, Lujan de Cuyo, and Campo de los Andes, Valle de Uco, with Cabernet Sauvignon from El Cepillo, Valle de Uco. Hand-harvested in early to mid-April, the grapes are chilled, sorted, destemmed and gravity-filled into small concrete vats. Fermentation is spontaneous with native vineyard yeasts, with frequent pigeage and pump-overs. Maceration lasts 30 days for Malbec and 25 days for Cabernet Sauvignon. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vats.
Harvest Note
The 2021 harvest was calm and well planned, with cool days allowing slow, even ripening. The resulting wines are balanced, with clarity, purity and transparency of fruit and an elegant, opulent palate. Concentration and balance define the vintage.
Tasting Note
Deep purple, with fresh black fruit, blackberry and currant aromas, spicy menthol and sandalwood, and subtle oak nuances. Solid on the palate, with excellent acidity, fine-grained tannins and a very persistent finish. Great aging potential.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 72% Malbec; 28% Cabernet Sauvignon
APPELLATION: Mendoza
PH: 3.6
ACIDITY: 5.45 g/L
ABV: 14.60%
AGING: 18 months in new 600-liter French oak barrels, followed by bottle storage in the cellar until release
Unique Selling Points
- Produced from highest quality, selected grapes, only in the best vintages
- For Alto, yields are a minuscule 0.5 bottles per vine
- Since '02 vintage, Alto has always scored 92+ pts from major wine publications
Alta Vista's Terroir Expression Winemakers® became the first in Argentina to produce single vineyard Malbec wines, each representing the unique characteristics of their high elevation, estate vineyards.
About the Grape
Malbec
Well-made Malbec is a dark, perfumed wine with rich, blackberry and damson plum fruit, aromas of violets and tobacco, and ripe, juicy tannins. In France, may be mineral, structured and austere.
