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Familia Zuccardi Malbec Aluvional Paraje Altamira 2018 750ml

size
750ml
country
Argentina
region
Cuyo
appellation
Mendoza
subappellation
Uco Valley
WA
97
VM
96
DC
95
WS
94
JS
94
Additional vintages
WA
97
Rated 97 by Wine Advocate
I loved the 2018 Aluvional Paraje Altamira at first sight. There's a bit more of everything, more aromatic complexity, more flavor and definitely a lot more minerality in the texture and more finesse. They have removed the fat in the Aluvional range; the wines reflect the soils, and in vintages like 2018, there is a jump in precision and expression. There is texture, salinity, austerity and a long-lasting finish, something not easy to achieve with Malbec. Some 70% of the volume matured in concrete and the rest in used 500-liter oak barrels. This is superb. 9,700 bottles were filled in 2019. It should develop nicely and for a long time in bottle. ... More details
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Familia Zuccardi Malbec Aluvional Paraje Altamira 2018 750ml

SKU 904049
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$79.85
/750ml bottle
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Professional Ratings
WA
97
VM
96
DC
95
WS
94
JS
94
WA
97
Rated 97 by Wine Advocate
I loved the 2018 Aluvional Paraje Altamira at first sight. There's a bit more of everything, more aromatic complexity, more flavor and definitely a lot more minerality in the texture and more finesse. They have removed the fat in the Aluvional range; the wines reflect the soils, and in vintages like 2018, there is a jump in precision and expression. There is texture, salinity, austerity and a long-lasting finish, something not easy to achieve with Malbec. Some 70% of the volume matured in concrete and the rest in used 500-liter oak barrels. This is superb. 9,700 bottles were filled in 2019. It should develop nicely and for a long time in bottle.
VM
96
Rated 96 by Vinous Media
Zuccardi's 2018 Malbec Aluvional (Paraje Altamira) was 30% aged in French oak for 12 months. Vivid purple in hue. The complex, intense nose offers delicate red fruit with plum and cherry aromas, herbs and touches of violet with even subtler notes. Potent without being concentrated, it is medium-bodied but packed with flavor, juicy and fluid in the mouth. The chalky tannins enhance the tension. There's a lot of scope for this wine to grow in the bottle; I'd love to try it in around 10 years or more.
DC
95
Rated 95 by Decanter
Inviting and aromatic, with lifted floral notes and a touch of balsamic on the nose, then on to a palate of cassis, plush black fruit, herbal notes and velvet smooth tannins. (Gold) - DWWA 2022
WS
94
Rated 94 by Wine Spectator
This focused red is filled with savory zest to the concentrated dark currant, pomegranate and cherry flavors that are well-knit, showing fresh acidity and tannins. There's minerally power on the finish, with dried thyme and saline hints. Drink now through 2027. 1,500 cases made, 150 cases imported.
JS
94
Rated 94 by James Suckling
This shows lots of structure with tannins and stones that buttress rather shy and austere character. The fruit comes through at the end, in the form of blackberries, black olives and minerals. Long, structured finish. Better after two or three years.
Product Details
size
750ml
country
Argentina
region
Cuyo
appellation
Mendoza
subappellation
Uco Valley
Additional vintages
Overview
I loved the 2018 Aluvional Paraje Altamira at first sight. There's a bit more of everything, more aromatic complexity, more flavor and definitely a lot more minerality in the texture and more finesse. They have removed the fat in the Aluvional range; the wines reflect the soils, and in vintages like 2018, there is a jump in precision and expression. There is texture, salinity, austerity and a long-lasting finish, something not easy to achieve with Malbec. Some 70% of the volume matured in concrete and the rest in used 500-liter oak barrels. This is superb. 9,700 bottles were filled in 2019. It should develop nicely and for a long time in bottle.
green grapes

Varietal: Malbec

In recent years, the Malbec single variety wines coming out of many New World countries have been gaining a lot of attention as a result of their fantastic plummy flavors, and strong, full-bodied nature. However, Malbec grape varietals have been cultivated for centuries in many Old World countries for these very characteristics, and they have long had a strong presence in some of the best blended wines ever produced by leading wineries. Their high tannin level and heavy juiciness means they are ideal for big, powerful full-bodied wines packing a strong fruit-forward punch on the palate, and their beautiful deep red color has long been admired and upheld as a mark of quality. The Malbec grapes are probably at their best when blended with other, mellower and more rounded grape varietals, such as a Merlot, as this allows their best features and their fruity flavor to shine, whilst being softened somewhat and made lighter and more drinkable.
barrel

Region: Cuyo

Situated in and around the Andean mountains, the Cuyo region of Argentina has long been associated with the best of the country's wine industry. Including now world famous provinces such as Mendoza and La Rioja, Argentina's Cuyo region has something of an ideal environment for the cultivation of high quality grapes – including Argentina's flagship varietal, the Malbec – which includes the beautiful Desaguadero River and its tributaries. Although the region itself is quite dry and arid, the soils have a remarkably high mineral content, and plenty of iron which gives it the distinctive red color associated with Cuyo. For several decades now, wineries in Cuyo have been booming, as more and more of the global wine audience begin to recognize the region's remarkable potential for rich and flavorful wines.
fields

Country: Argentina

In the dry, arid deserts of Argentina, wineries and winemakers are focusing their efforts on producing high quality wines for the world market. By experimenting with both traditional and modern methods and technologies, they have found great success with a wide variety of grapes well suited to the conditions of the country, particularly Malbec, Bonarda and Cabernet Sauvignon. Over the past decade, Argentinian wineries have continued to aim high, and this has led to a range of new wines using grape varietals not typically associated with the country. The cooler regions of Argentina are seeing more vineyards being planted with Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir varietals, something that is beginning to produce fantastic results, which are at once representative of the country's wines - with all their fruity and bold character - but are also pushing the boundaries of what we expect from a New World country.
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Customer Reviews

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More Details
green grapes

Varietal: Malbec

In recent years, the Malbec single variety wines coming out of many New World countries have been gaining a lot of attention as a result of their fantastic plummy flavors, and strong, full-bodied nature. However, Malbec grape varietals have been cultivated for centuries in many Old World countries for these very characteristics, and they have long had a strong presence in some of the best blended wines ever produced by leading wineries. Their high tannin level and heavy juiciness means they are ideal for big, powerful full-bodied wines packing a strong fruit-forward punch on the palate, and their beautiful deep red color has long been admired and upheld as a mark of quality. The Malbec grapes are probably at their best when blended with other, mellower and more rounded grape varietals, such as a Merlot, as this allows their best features and their fruity flavor to shine, whilst being softened somewhat and made lighter and more drinkable.
barrel

Region: Cuyo

Situated in and around the Andean mountains, the Cuyo region of Argentina has long been associated with the best of the country's wine industry. Including now world famous provinces such as Mendoza and La Rioja, Argentina's Cuyo region has something of an ideal environment for the cultivation of high quality grapes – including Argentina's flagship varietal, the Malbec – which includes the beautiful Desaguadero River and its tributaries. Although the region itself is quite dry and arid, the soils have a remarkably high mineral content, and plenty of iron which gives it the distinctive red color associated with Cuyo. For several decades now, wineries in Cuyo have been booming, as more and more of the global wine audience begin to recognize the region's remarkable potential for rich and flavorful wines.
fields

Country: Argentina

In the dry, arid deserts of Argentina, wineries and winemakers are focusing their efforts on producing high quality wines for the world market. By experimenting with both traditional and modern methods and technologies, they have found great success with a wide variety of grapes well suited to the conditions of the country, particularly Malbec, Bonarda and Cabernet Sauvignon. Over the past decade, Argentinian wineries have continued to aim high, and this has led to a range of new wines using grape varietals not typically associated with the country. The cooler regions of Argentina are seeing more vineyards being planted with Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir varietals, something that is beginning to produce fantastic results, which are at once representative of the country's wines - with all their fruity and bold character - but are also pushing the boundaries of what we expect from a New World country.