Altocedro Ano Cero Malbec 2021
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James
Suckling -
Wine
Enthusiast
Product Details
Your Rating
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Vinous
The 2021 Malbec Año Cero hails from La Consulta in the Uco Valley and was a third aged for 10 months in barrels. Purple in hue. It begins with bold notes of violet and plum followed by gentle hints of herb, black tea and lavender. In the mouth, the tannins are broad but refined with juicy freshness, bold flavor and a refined texture. “Here, the ripeness comes out in the aromas,” says Karim Mussi Safie, the oenologist behind this wine, and this certainly rings true in the glass. The year adds to the complexity.
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James Suckling
Attractive freshness here with some currants and berries. Restrained cocoa powder and a herbal undertone, too. Juicy fruit wrapped by firm, chewy tannins. Showing a bit of reduction now. Give it a year or two to come around. Better in 2024.
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a good value red that opens with aromas of ripe cherry and plum. Good acidity and grainy tannins hold concentrated flavors of cherry and other berries mixed with notes of grass and cedar. Light notes of tomato paste and plum linger on the finish.
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The winery of Altocedro is located in the growing region of La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Mendoza. This is one of the premier Argentine growing zones. Limited production with sustainable growing practices make the Altocedro wines a cult-type wine in Argentina. Winemaker Karim Mussi Saffie focuses on producing terroir-driven wines.
All harvesting, sorting, and crushing are done in individual batches by hand using no machinery in the process. The vines range up to 70 years of age, with only 1,600 plants per acre, and strict harvesting of only 1.2 kg of grapes per vine. The extract is done with a gravity flow system developed at the winery over 100 years ago.
Celebrated for its bold flavors and supple texture, Malbec has enjoyed runaway success in Argentina since the late 20th century. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, where it historically contributed color and tannin to blends. A French agronomist, who saw great potential for the variety in Mendoza’s hot, high-altitude landscape, brought Malbec to Argentina in 1868. Somm Secret—If you’re trying to please a crowd, Malbec is generally a safe bet with its combination of dense fruit and soft tannins.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.