ZUCCARDI | Poligonos del Valle de Uco | Paraje Altamira | Malbec | 2020
malbec

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Zuccardi winery was established by Alberto Zuccardi in 1963, emerging from a vision to transform the arid Mendoza landscape into a hub of winemaking through innovative viticulture. The winery has since grown into a renowned name worldwide, recognized mostly for its commitment to sustainable practices, minimal intervention, and a deep understanding of the unique terroir that Mendoza has to offer. Today, the winery continues to evolve under the leadership of his grandson, Sebastián Zuccardi.
Today we are going to review a wine that requires no introduction, as this is a genuine, single-varietal malbec wine from Mendoza, Argentina – Poligonos del Valle de Uco Paraje Altamira Malbec 2020 by Zuccardi. Known for its plump, dark fruit flavors and smoky finish, malbec wines have been adored for centuries, especially by the royal houses of England and Russia. With elegant notes of blueberry, plum, tobacco and hints of violets, modern malbec offers a great alternative to its higher priced siblings: merlot, cabernet sauvignon or syrah. Although the malbec variety originated in the famous Cahors region of France, Argentina proved that there’s more to malbec than just value, as it can offer an unmatched complexity and elegance, if produced in an expressive new-world style, with a nuanced and juicy, fruit-forward character.

The grapes for this wine were sourced from the slopes of Paraje Altamira vineyards, situated around the San Carlos village in Valle de Uco, planted at high altitude on loam-rich soils of alluvial origin, with gravel and sand subsoil. In order to preserve the varietal characteristics of the malbec grapes and those delicate, terroir-driven notes, the wine has been fermented with native yeasts and aged only in concrete vats, with additional bottle ageing time before it was deemed ready for the market release.

The unique geographical conditions of the Uco Valley contribute significantly to the distinctiveness of most of the malbec wines produced here. The arid climate coupled with the high-altitudes is ideal for viticulture, promoting the production of high-quality grapes. The vineyards  planted at high-altitudes benefit from abundant sunlight during the day and cool temperatures at night, thus creating a high diurnal range, which preserves natural acidity and develops aromatic complexity in the healthy grapes. The soil is predominantly alluvial, rich in sand and loam, with good drainage that supports deep root growth. Compared to the malbec wines from the lower regions, those from Uco Valley typically exhibit greater freshness, vibrancy, and complexity.

Located on the plain south of the source of the Tunuyán River, Paraje Altamira occupies the highest part of its alluvial fan and is one of the best sites in Uco Valley, distinguished by its high-altitude, with vineyards planted between 1050 and 1150 meters above sea level, which lends an exceptional freshness to the malbec grapes. The soil composition includes conglomerates of stones and gravel with a calcareous upper layer, ensuring excellent drainage and a mineral-rich environment that enhances wine complexity. The cool climate with significant temperature variations allows the grapes to achieve a perfect balance between ripeness and acidity, boldly expressing the characteristics of the region and providing a clear contrast to wines produced in lower elevations, where conditions are warmer and less varied.

color: deep & opaque purple color
clarity: hazy indigo shades at the rim

In the glass, the wine presents a deep and opaque purple color with enticing indigo hues, signifying both intensity and richness in flavor.

intensity: pronounced & inky
fruit character: ripe

On the nose, this wine exhibits a pronounced, savory-inky aromatic profile that is incredibly inviting. The dominant notes include earthy elements like black soil, granite, and hints of old leather, mixed with wild black fruits notes, such as blackberry, dark cherry, and blackcurrant. There’s also a subtle mix of spice in the background, with hints of peppercorn mix, adding complexity to the wines aromatic profile.

sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: long | aftertaste: seedy-delicate

On the palate, the wine is characterized by a delicate and savory texture, with a rustic mouthfeel that adds to its genuine terroir-driven expression. It showcases a balanced tasting profile, with mouth-watering acidity, and a well-integrated touch of alcoholic warmth. The silky-ripe tannins contribute to the wine’s texture, enhancing its overall richness. The aftertaste lingers with a seedy-delicate character, revealing layers of flavor that echo those detected on the nose, particularly the ripe wild fruits and savory accents.

maturity: developing | drink now or in the next 3 to 5 years
verdict: great | a must try wine | a wine that has all the traits to become legendary

Overall, this is a firm, rich, and voluptuous malbec wine with a well-structured profile that encapsulates the essence of the Paraje Altamira terroir. Although the wine is ready to be enjoyed today, it still has the potential to evolve beautifully over the next 3 to 5 years in the bottle, indicating its structure and depth.

ZUCCARDI | Poligonos del Valle de Uco | Paraje Altamira | Malbec | 2020
variety: malbec
country: Argentina
region: Mendoza | Valle de Uco | Paraje Altamira
rating: 95.0

For an ideal dining experience, consider pairing this wine with grilled lamb chops, where the meat’s hearthy richness would complement the delicate, seedy tannins of the wine. Roasted vegetables seasoned with rosemary would also enhance the herbal notes present in the wine, thus creating a harmonious balance of flavours and textures that would enhance the overall wine tasting experience.

Zuccardi winery has been a pioneer of argentine viticulture and continues to innovate with its minimal intervention approach to winemaking. The family’s dedication to the land and the respect for its unique terroir has allowed them to produce wines that reflect their unique place of origin and inherited heritage.

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