Malbec, 'Clasico'

Score

90

Score

91

"The unoaked 2018 Malbec Clásico 2018 comes from a very good year, after 2013 and 2014, which were very difficult years, and 2015 and 2016 that saw lots of rain. According to winemaker Leo Erazo, it's the most complex wine to make because of the many different sources of grapes, growers and the volume they make. But they planted 22 hectares in 2012, so they use more of their own grapes; the wine now has some 30% of grapes from Valle de Uco, which is always a cooler region that is noticed in the wine, which is very balanced, harmonious and easy to drink. It has a dusty note and fine tannins; it's elegant and especially very drinkable."

Score

90

"Italian winemakers Alberto Antonini and Antonio Morescalchi own Altos Las Hormigas, a 56ha estate in Luján de Cuyo, which specialises in Malbec - though this bottling also includes fruit from high-altitude vineyards in the Uco Valley, vinified separately before blending. Unoaked and coming from a classic vintage for Mendoza Malbec, it has lovely purity of black and red fruit, with appealing black cherry and violet aromas. The silky black cherry attack is followed by a fresh and juicy palate with fine, soft tannins and a lick of peppery spice that lingers on the finish."