2003 Alta Vista Grande Reserve Terroir Selection Malbec

Alta Vista is in Mendoza. It was founded in 1998 by Patrick d’Aulan, whose family owned Piper-Heidsieck for most of the 20th century, and Jean-Michel Arcaute, an acclaimed Bordeaux winemaker. The men purchased 15 acres of Malbec vines in Mendoza and began making wines that set a new standard for Argentine wines. Arcaute died in 2001, but d’Aulan continues to run the estate and in 2002 released single vineyard Malbecs, the first single vineyard wines in Argentina. Today Alta Vista owns more than 500 acres and exports 1.6 million bottles. Besides Malbec, the estate makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Torrentes and Chardonnay.

Mendoza on the western edge of Argentina is the nation’s largest and most important wine producing region. With about a billion acres under vine, the region of Mendoza alone has nearly half as many vineyards acres as all of the United States. Located on the edge of the Andes, vineyards here are high, usually 2,000 to 3,600 feet above sea level, yet they enjoy a relatively temperate climate and four distinct seasons. The soil is sandy and alluvial with clay underneath and moderate rainfall encourages growth. Historically Argentina, and Mendoza, grew pink skin grapes for slightly sweet pink or white wines. Those grapes are still grown for bulk jug wine. Since the late 1980s, however, Malbec has been Mendoza’s most important grape, since it makes a rich, dark, robust, age-worth red. The second most important red grape is Bonarda, which is thought to be the same grape that California growers know as Charbono. Italian and Spanish red grapes including Sangiovese, Barbera and Tempranillo were brought by immigrants, and they are grown today. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Torrontés and numerous other red and white grapes are also grown successfully.

This grape produces a dark red wine with plenty of tannins. It is one of the six grapes allowed for blending red Bordeaux wines. Malbec is also the flagship variety of Argentina. The grape needs a lot of sun and heat to mature. It adds complexity and intensity to blends.