ZUCCARDI | Concreto | Paraje Altamira | Malbec | 2021
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 genuine, single-varietal and single-vineyard malbec wine from the world’s famous Mendoza region of Argentina – Concreto Paraje Altamira Malbec 2021 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, planted at high altitude (between 1050 and 1150 meters above sea level), around the San Carlos village in Valle de Uco, on loam-rich soils of alluvial origin, with gravel and sand subsoil. In order to preserve at maximum the varietal characteristics of the malbec grapes and those delicate, terroir-driven notes, the wine has been fermented with whole bunches on native yeasts in concrete amphorae and aged only in egg-shaped concrete vats without epoxy, to avoid the influence of aromas and flavors which do not come from the vineyard, with additional bottle ageing time before it was deemed ready for the market release. This wine showcases the winery’s dedication to ‘undress‘ the wine, in order to enhance its expression of the place and reveal the delicate texture imparted by the calcareous soils of the Uco Valley terroir, while still applying innovative winemaking techniques – as its name suggests, ‘Concreto‘ meaning concrete.

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 purple color
clarity: bright indigo shades at the rim

In the glass, the wine displays a deep purple color with bright indigo shades at the rim, indicating youth, intensity of flavour and aromatic depth.

intensity: pronounced & savory-delicate
fruit character: ripe

On the nose, the wine has a pronounced, savory-delicate aromatic profile. It features intriguing savory notes reminiscent of game, iron, and leather, alongside earthy hints like ink and marl, balanced by wild berry fruits such as redcurrant and blackberry, that are further enhanced with herbaceous hints of wormwood and thyme.

sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: medium+ | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: seedy-green

The palate reveals a rustic and delicate character – it tastes savory, with a slightly green touch on the mouthfeel. The wine feels dry, with mouth-watering acidity and a warm touch of alcohol, enveloped by seedy tannins and a pleasantly seedy texture. The complexity lies in the evolving flavor profile, expressing the genuine terroir-driven nature of the wine. The finish is crisp and broad, showcasing the wine’s medium body and good structure.

maturity: developing | drink now or in the next 2 to 3 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential

Overall, this wine delivers an exceptionally-rich representation of the high-altitude malbec, offering a genuine reflection of the Uco Valley terroir. The wine is still developing, making it enjoyable today, but it also has excellent aging potential for those who wish to let it evolve further over two to three years time.

For the ultimate dining experience, consider pairing this wine with grilled lamb chops or extra-rare black angus, where the hearty richness of the meat would complements beautifully the wine’s savory notes and delicate texture. Alternatively, consider pairing it with a rustic ratatouille that could enhance the subtle herbal elements in the wine, resulting in a harmonious balance of flavors and textures. Enjoy!
ZUCCARDI | Concreto | Paraje Altamira | Malbec | 2021
variety: malbec
country: Argentina
region: Mendoza | Valle de Uco | Paraje Altamira
rating: 93.7

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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