ALTA VISTA, MALBEC SINGLE VINEYARD ALIZARINE
MENDOZA, ARGENTINA 2019
Why Buy: Limiting yields are one of the secrets to making world-class wine, and that's one of the reasons we're so forcefully behind the mission at Alta Vista, the first single-vineyard producer in the country. And one of the reasons we can't stop gushing over this 95-pointer. This single-vineyard wine is so low-yield that only a single bottle is produced per vine. Add to that the elevation of the Luján de Cuyo vineyard (3,000 feet above sea level) and its pedigree (it was first planted in 1927), and you have the foundation for a red of distinction — aromatic, defined, soulful, and long. The fact that it's also a remarkable value, at a best price of less than $40 a bottle? That just makes this an absolute no-brainer of a buy, and one to stock up on by the case.
What They're Saying: James Suckling raved over it, calling it "succulent and long" in his 95-point review. He hailed its aromatics ("lots of graphite to the nose ... plenty of spiced blue fruit ... a hint of violets and dark chocolate), its palate ("juicy and bright"), and its tannins ("very fine-grained").
The Story: By now nearly synonymous with Argentine wine itself, Alta Vista was the first estate in the country to take the step of producing single-vineyard vines. That occurred in 2001, when it introduced the first vintage of Alizarine and debuted a patented system of terroir management. Taking advantage of the micro-climates of the high-elevation site, Alta Vista grows grapes in different parts of the land. Each plot uses different techniques and methods for its cultivation, giving the final product the complexity and depth of an intricate blend. At the same time, the wine possesses an integrity and character that could only come from a single-vineyard effort. The soil in the eastern foothills of the Andes could hardly be more ideal for stressing the vines, being made up of silty clay loam and even boulders, bringing the wine both a concentrated intensity and gorgeous minerality.
Specs: The wine was aged for 12 months in new French oak barrels and an additional 6 months in bottle.
Our Tasting Notes: It's rare to find a wine for this price that delivers as much as this one, from the complex and aromatic nose to the textured, rich palate to the long and savory finish. Throughout it all there is the ineffable character brought by the high-elevation old vines, making for an elegant and almost sinuous red that tastes as if it was of an earlier vintage.
ABV: 13.5%
Fun Fact: Alta Vista's bodega was first built in 1899.
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source direct, so you can be confident that your wine will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Don't hesitate to secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2023 (Dec. 21st - Mar. 20th, 2024). All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Wednesday, October 3rd,, 2023.
