Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Clasico


Variety	Malbec
Wine Region	Mendoza
Vineyards	25% from Medrano vineyards, 60% from grapes from the Consulta, Vista Flores and Eugenio Bustos, in Valle de Uco area. The remaining grapes from Perdriel and Vistalba, districts in Luj'n de Cuyo, Las Mercedes.
Viticulture Practice	4,000 plants per hectar, and were planted between 1996 and 1999, free of rootstock and raised with the guyot method.
Harvest	Hand selected clusters
Vinification Details	Grapes from different vineyards are vinified separately before the final blend.The destemmed and softly pressed grapes are vinified in stainless steel vats at 28 degrees C. During the 15 day fermentation-maceration process the must is pumped over and punched down for optimal extraction. Free run juice only. The wine is bottled without any form of stabilization or filtration, in order not to alter its quality, and is sold after three months of bottle age. Fermented in stainless steel between 24 and 30 degrees C.
Total Production	60 000 cases
Aging	Aging vessel: American oak insertstaves into 30.000 lt stainless tank during 3 months, only 2 year of use for insertstaves.
Winemaker's Comments	Very intense, fruit driven and its nose integrates layers of violet, lavender, red berries, liquorice and chocolate. Ample structure and full body.
Food Pairing	Argentine Asado, grilled beef, Carbonara sauce pasta, spicy beef based dishes, soft paste aged cheeses.