Zuccardi Aluvional Altamira Malbec 2013
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Robert
Parker -
James
Suckling - Decanter
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A wine that always shows backward and closed early on, but then has a great aging potential is the 2013 Aluvional Altamira. This is a blend of Malbec from different plots of vineyards in Altamira, one of the zones of the Uco Valley with more calcium carbonate content in the soil that provides the wine an earthy, chalky minerality plus very fine-grained tannins and a suppleness that is almost salty. The nose is a mixture of aromatic herbs, violets, blueberries and blood oranges (a fresh sensation, almost citric, but somehow red fruit-driven). Precision, austerity and subtleness, with great inner strength. These wines feel light, but they are powerful and concentrated, more than you might think so. It certainly has the stuffing and balance to develop nicely in bottle.
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James Suckling
Exuberant aromas of blackberries, blueberries and flowers follow through to a full body, firm and lightly chewy tannins and a slate, stone aftertaste. Solid.
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Decanter
Zuccardi needs no introduction to wine lovers. The pinnacle of its range, the micro-plot Finca Piedra Infinita, is one of Argentina's best wines, and the Aluvional series of five Malbecs are up there too. Here in Altamira, at 1,100m altitude, limestone gravel imparts a chalky, mineral elegance to the palate, along with pure red berry fruit and appealing herbal notes. It has a beautiful, mouthwatering acidity and a lingering finish. No new oak used, just old barrels and concrete vats. Drinking Window 2018 - 2026
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A few years before 1950, Ing. Alberto Zuccardi reaches Mendoza from his homeland in Tucuman where their great-grandparents had settled upon arriving in the Italian region of AveIino. In 1963, Alberto implanted a vineyard in the region of Maipu not knowing that it would begin the great passion of his life, the wine industry. In 1990, his son, Jose Alberto Zuccardi, assumed the General Director of the company.
In 2005, Sebastian Zuccardi, third generation of the family, lead the development of the new stage of the wines of the winery expansion into the Uco Valley. On his initiative, since 2008 the winery has an area of Research and Development dedicated to the study of the terroir and the different variables that affect wine production. In 2013 the construction of the new Zuccardi winery in the Uco Valley began. It opened in March 2016 with the premise of producing wines with identity, through the continuous exploration of the different terroirs of the Uco Valley.
The Zuccardi family’s approach to sustainability starts with the environment and people before any product. They’re dedicated to producing the highest quality wines through sustainable practices such as a focus on nurturing biodiversity, organic farming, efficient irrigation practices, composting, water treatment, comprehensive waste and recycling efforts, and the use of solar energy. The winery itself is designed to be naturally energy efficient by maximizing natural light and minimizing electricity consumption. Its concrete walls fulfill the function of a thermal insulator, the movements of liquid are caused by gravity and the concrete-designed vessels allow for a natural control of the temperature of the wine. As a third generation family-owned winery, the Zuccardi’s take seriously their responsibility to protect the environment, support the land, the farmers and uplift the local community. Through building schools, offering free education, fostering equality, banning child labor, and subsidizing health care, they’re not only elevating their wines and the Uco Valley as a world class wine region, but also giving the people who have contributed to their success a path forward and upward mobility for their own families.
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.
With a winning combination of cool weather, high elevation and well-draining alluvial soils, it is no surprise that Mendoza’s Uco Valley is one of the most exciting up-and-coming wine regions in Argentina. Healthy, easy-to-manage vines produce low yields of high-quality fruit, which in turn create flavorful, full-bodied wines with generous acidity.
This is the source of some of the best Malbec in Mendoza, which can range from value-priced to ultra-premium. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay also perform well here.