Wine from Mendoza is more than just Malbec: it is the reflection of a know-how, a tradition and an origin. Founded in 1995 by a consortium of prominent Italian winemakers, including Alberto Antonini of Antinori and Antonio Morescalchi, Altos Las Hormigas has always been evolving. Their Terroir Project is working towards the creation of an appellation system in Mendoza, while showing Malbec's diversity of expression according to its origin. Based on this philosophy, their portfolio shows the tremendous versatility of the Malbec, from fresh, fruit driven Mendoza Clásico from Lujan de Cuyo to the structured and mineral Malbec Reserve from the Uco Valley. Along with Malbec, Altos Las Hormigas has been crafting Bonarda for 10 years, Argentina's second most planted variety. They display its joyful and delicate nature under the classic line Colonia Las Liebres.
In 2012, Altos Las Hormigas took a significant step in their ongoing evolution from boutique value winery to the terroir-driven, serious player in the world of Malbec that they are today. After seeing the potential for wines of consequence in the Uco Valley, the team decided to stop using new oak and small barriques for all of their wines; instead going with older, untoasted, large oak foudres across the board. This decision has allowed for much more expression and elegance, especially on the sublime Appellation series of Malbec, which features the limestone-driven Uco Valley sites of Gualtallary, Altamira, and Vista Flores.
They've teamed up over the past decade with Pedro Parra, PhD in Terroir, to use various techniques to find both the ideal sites for their wines as well as a way to measure the ideal ripeness of their fruit. With Parra's guidance, the team at Altos Las Hormigas has dug over 1,500 soil pits in the Uco Valley, chasing the chalky Mendoza gold that is limestone, which imparts a beautiful minerality to Malbec. In Gualtallary, Altamira, and Vista Flores, they have found the limestone trail, where the vineyards have shallow topsoil and the vines dive deep into the calcareous mother rock. They also use electromagnetism to map out the soil depth of their vineyard sites so that they can avoid picking a whole block where, due to the warm and hilly vineyards of Mendoza, there may be some underripe and overripe grapes in addition to the ideally ripe grapes. Instead, they use that information to harvest in irregular polygons, and pick the fruit with ideal ripeness in every section.
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Argentina » Uco Valley
Decanter 92 "energy; ripe red and dark forest fruit, a savoury palate with a refreshing fruity finish." Wine Advocate 89 "The young and unoaked 2017 Malbec Clásico was
63dArgentina » Lujan de Cuyo
Wine Advocate 92 "The introduction to the Valle de Uco is the 2016 Malbec Terroir Valle de Uco, which has grapes from La Consulta and Tupungato.
Wine Advocate 94 "The 2015 Malbec Reserve was produced with grapes from limestone-rich soils in Altamira and Gualtallary. It fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in
Wine Advocate 96 "My favorite of the collection, the 2016 Malbec Appellation Gualtallary is a wild and structured expression of the grape, place and vintage. Produced
Wine Advocate 95 "The other appellation Malbec comes from the hottest place (not in temperature, but in terms of market demand) in the Valle de Uco,
Tim Atkins 96 Master of Wine “The most aromatic and the most refined of Altos’ sub-regional Malbecs, this is sourced from comparatively young vineyards. Scented, subtle
Wine Advocate 93-95 “The 2012 Malbec Appellation Altamira is produced from 100% Malbec from four different vineyards in Altamira in the Uco Valley, two of them
"In Colchagua, the warm, dry climate allows Altos los Romeros' Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen thoroughly and develop rich red fruit, berry, black currant, and fig
Wine Advocate 92-94 "“The 2012 Malbec Appellation Vista Flores is produced from 100% Malbec from four different vineyards in Vista Flores in the Uco Valley. The
Wine Advocate 94-96 "The 2012 Malbec Appellation Gualtallary is produced from 100% Malbec from three different vineyards in Gualtallary, the most calcareous zone within Tupungato in
Wine Spectator 91 Top 100 # 42 "Concentrated and cut, displaying layers of macerated blueberry, cassis, black peppercorn and flint on a full frame. Silky tannins and
James Suckling 90 "A spicy and fruity malbec. Shows the new style that people like. And an excellent price. Drink and enjoy." " Valle de Uco Terroir
Tim Atkins MW 91 “Sometimes referred to as the winery’s “classic” Malbec, this comes from vineyards in Luján as opposed to the Uco Valley. It’s soft
Wine Enthusiast 90 "On the oaky side, with toasty aromas of stacked wood, smoke and black fruits lurking below the surface. The palate has the
Wine Spectator 92 "Big, brawny style, with lots of dark cocoa, tar, black currant and fig flavors supported by loamy tannins. Dense finish is packed with
"100% Malbec grapes are harvested by hand from high density vineyards located in the Valle de Uco, sub regions of Vista Flores, Altamira and Eugenio
Wine Spectator 90 Smart Buys "A dark red, with bright acidity supporting juicy blackberry, currant and blueberry notes that pick up hints of wild flowers, hot stone
Wine Spectator 91 "Concentrated and cut, displaying layers of macerated blueberry, cassis, black peppercorn and flint on a full frame. Silky tannins and undertones of
Wine Spectator 90 "Lithe and open-textured, offering notes of paprika and dark chocolate to the dark plum, cherry and boysenberry flavors. This boasts an ironclad structure,
Wine Advocate 90 "The 2012 Malbec Reserva is a blend of their best calcareous grapes from the Uco Valley. Again there is a big jump, the
Wine Advocate 91 "The 2012 Malbec Terroir is produced from fruit sourced from different calcareous vineyards within the Uco Valley, I see a jump in freshness,
Wine Advocate 95 "Seeing the differences between the Appellation Malbecs in 2013 is splitting hairs. The 2013 Malbec Appellation Altamira is sourced from the alluvial terraces
Wine Advocate 92 "The 2013 Malbec Reserva is sourced from Vista Flores and Chacayes in the Valle de Uco where they look for calcareous soils on
Wine Advocate 89 "The juicy and unoaked 2014 Malbec Clásico has a captivating, perfumed nose of violets, lilies and ripe cherries. It's all berries and flowers
Wine Advocate 93 "he spicier of the appellation Malbecs might be the 2013 Malbec Appellation Vista Flores, also a little riper with juicy cherries and hints