Argentina
JANUARY 2024
With high-altitude vineyards in valleys that run along the base of the Andes, Argentina produces well-priced, delicious, sustainable (often organic) wines as the vineyards are so high and so dry that pests are not an issue. It's breathtakingly beautiful and the people who make these wines are the salt-of-the-earth.
This month's club features two reds: a Malbec (classic) and a Pinot Noir Reserva (quite unusual) from this area. Enjoy!
Altos Las Hormigas
Mendoza, Argentina
Located in Luján de Cuyo about 800 meters (2600 ft.) above sea level at the base of the Andes, Finca Altos Las Hormigas is a 206 hectare estate, of which 40 hectares (100 acres) are planted with Malbec and 5.6 hectares (15 acres) with Bonarda.
After visiting Mendoza in 1995, friends Alberto Antonini (a Tuscan winemaker) and Antonio Morescalchi gathered several more friends to join their project/dream of growing Malbec (a move away from the Cab & Merlot focus of the 1990's) in the dry, high-elevation vineyards of Mendoza. This semi-desert climate offers very hot daytime temperatures and then drops to cool nights. Rainfall is limited but the melting snow from the Andres allows for excellent irrigation.
Altos Las Hormigas 2020 Malbec Clásico
Mendoza, Argentina // Reg $13.99 | Mixed Case $11.19
100% Malbec. Rich, deep, dark color. Beautiful nose of plum and black raspberry. Soft, smooth, medium-body with flavors of blackberries, dark plums, black cherries. Soft tannins & faint orange rind acidity on the finish. Super pleasant wine. Well-balanced. Winery says to enjoy with meats, pastas, and grilled vegetables. We enjoyed it with a lean steak, mashed potatoes and roasted zucchini. Drink now to 2 years.
La Riojana Cooperativa
La Rioja, Argentina
One of the largest co-operatives in Argentina, La Riojana has 500 growers who supply the grapes to "produce over 4 million cases of wine a year from over 4,000 hectares of vineyards. Over 80% of them are small-scale producers, with the majority owning no more than three hectares of land each. ... Driving co-operative principles is the fundamental philosophy of the business. Every member gets one vote in helping decide what the overall co-operative does regardless of size." With fair trade as a core value, the co-op guarantees every member a higher than average market price for their grapes.
The co-op produces Malbec, Shiraz, Cabernet, Bonarda, Pinot Noir (reds), Torrontés, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio (whites) and more.
La Riojana 2020 Pinot Noir Reserva
La Rioja, Argentina // Reg $15.99 | Mixed Case $12.79
100% Pinot Noir with some aging in oak barrels. Wild berry note on the nose: mulberries, marionberries, black cherries. Black cherries, red raspberries, black raspberries, earthy notes on the palate. 12.5% alcohol. Pleasant fruit but good complexity. Acidity is great. Terrific wine. Great with food. Winery suggests: seared salmon or tuna, roast chicken, crispy duck pancakes and goat's cheese or vegetables off the grill (pictured below). Drink now to 2 years.
These wines are a great way to kick off 2024. Hope you enjoy them as much as we did.
Cheers!
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop