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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

Malbec grapes have a beautiful deep and dusty purple color, and can now be found growing in abundance in many different countries. They thrive most successfully in hot, dry southern climates, a long way from their home in native France. However, whilst many Old World wineries had and continue to have a lot of success with this flavorful grape, its susceptibility to rot and weakness against cold and damp meant that its usage began to dwindle in the countries such as France whilst it grew in the New. Malbec's thick skins lend it strong tannins, something which allows the wines produced from these grapes to hold their distinctive, astringent and full-bodied character. They also tend to be packed full of plummy, fleshy fruit-forward flavors, making them an interesting and complex grape for single variety wines, as well as an ideal grape for blending and aging.
barrel

Region: Cuyo

The region of Cuyo has been internationally associated with fine Argentinian wine for several decades, and has a wine history which stretches back centuries to the time of the original Spanish settlers, who sought areas in which to plant imported grape vines for sacramental wine production. The region contains several of Argentina's most renowned and widely appreciated provinces, including the Mendoza, La Rioja, San Juan and San Luis, and the mountainous nature of this arid region provides an ideal environment for vineyard cultivation. As the mighty Desaguadero River snakes its way between the Andes, it deposits plenty of important minerals in the soil, which allow grape varietals closely associated with the Argentinian wine industry – such as Malbec – to grow to a perfect level of ripeness. As such, even in the driest areas of the Cuyo region, flavorful and fruit-forward wines are produced in impressive amounts.
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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More Details
green grapes

Varietal: Malbec

Malbec grapes have a beautiful deep and dusty purple color, and can now be found growing in abundance in many different countries. They thrive most successfully in hot, dry southern climates, a long way from their home in native France. However, whilst many Old World wineries had and continue to have a lot of success with this flavorful grape, its susceptibility to rot and weakness against cold and damp meant that its usage began to dwindle in the countries such as France whilst it grew in the New. Malbec's thick skins lend it strong tannins, something which allows the wines produced from these grapes to hold their distinctive, astringent and full-bodied character. They also tend to be packed full of plummy, fleshy fruit-forward flavors, making them an interesting and complex grape for single variety wines, as well as an ideal grape for blending and aging.
barrel

Region: Cuyo

The region of Cuyo has been internationally associated with fine Argentinian wine for several decades, and has a wine history which stretches back centuries to the time of the original Spanish settlers, who sought areas in which to plant imported grape vines for sacramental wine production. The region contains several of Argentina's most renowned and widely appreciated provinces, including the Mendoza, La Rioja, San Juan and San Luis, and the mountainous nature of this arid region provides an ideal environment for vineyard cultivation. As the mighty Desaguadero River snakes its way between the Andes, it deposits plenty of important minerals in the soil, which allow grape varietals closely associated with the Argentinian wine industry – such as Malbec – to grow to a perfect level of ripeness. As such, even in the driest areas of the Cuyo region, flavorful and fruit-forward wines are produced in impressive amounts.
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.