ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS

In 1995 Alberto Antonini, the now famous Tuscan winemaker, and Antonio Morescalchi, a young entrepreneur, took a trip to visit the burgeoning wine areas of South America. They toured both sides of the Andes and they remained impressed at first sight by the vineyards thriving in the high altitude and dry climate of Mendoza. Both the nature of the region, and its viticultural tradition, established by European immigrants in past centuries were surprising to the newcomer’s eye. They returned to Tuscany convinced of the unexplored potential of Malbec, a grape that had a strong local tradition but was largely ignored and misunderstood.

While the rest of the wine world saw Mendoza struggling to shed its bulk wine image, the two young Italians saw the region as a place where traditional viticultural values and unblemished Terroir could be reinvigorated with a careful winemaking approach, taking the risk of betting on a grape with an unproven record.

Against all odds and local advice, they decided to start a Malbec only winery in Mendoza. The next step came with the purchase of 206 hectares (530 acres) in the rural township of Lujan de Cuyo. When the vineyards were planted in 1996, workers faced a stiff altercation with the local ant (hormiga) colonies. The “Italianos” newcomers refused to poison the ants and started looking for natural ways to deflect their attention. During this time the workers’ joke was that the ants were the real owners of the place, since they were allowed to roam the vineyard at will and feed on the precious vines.

In Argentina the saying: “a job for ants” describes a task requiring a humble, patient and extended teamwork. Embracing (rather than fighting) this first cultural test, the team decided that the venture had to be named after the hard-working, team-playing, persistent hormiga.

La Danza Malbec Mendoza

GRAPE VARIETY. 100% Malbec.

COLOUR. Deep red color with violet hues.

AROMA. The nose is very fruity, with notes of plum and tangerine peel, as well as hints of tapenade, white pepper and aniseed.

PALATE. On the palate, its balanced tannins and enveloping acidity give it a juicy, succulent mouth-feel. The finish is long and fruity. This is a very food-friendly wine, ideal wine to pair with several dishes such as red meats, pasta, or cold cuts plates.

La Danza Red Blend Mendoza

GRAPE VARIETY. 48% Bonarda, 45% Malbec, 7% Semillion

COLOUR. Bright ruby red color, alluring and lively.

AROMA. Ripe red fruit notes stand out on the nose, mostly raspberry and cherry. It also presents herbal notes, eucalyptus, menthol, pink pepper, chamomile flower, and a subtle aroma of gunpowder.

PALATE. In the mouth, it has a fresh entry, with balanced acidity, making it a vibrant, juicy and fine wine. Fruity notes fill the palate, also showing spicy notes at the finish. This blend is a great pairing with Mediterranean cuisine, eggplant and tomato dishes, and can also be enjoyed on its own.

Altos Las Hormigas Blanco Mendoza

GRAPE VARIETY. 80% Chenin Blanc, 15% Pedro Gimenez, 5% Semillion

COLOUR. The wine shows a greenish yellow color with steel color hues.

AROMA. It has a complex and expressive nose, with notes of white pepper, kumquat, jarilla, white peach, jalapeño, white flowers, as well as a tropical note subtly reminis-cent of passion fruit.

PALATE. The palate is very juicy and textured. The mouthfeel is fresh, with acidity leading the way. It has a saline finish with floral notes. It is a very drinkable wine, ideal to enjoy as an aperitif with personality or to pair with white meats, light sauces or ocean and river fish.

Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Clasico Organic

Altos Las Hormigas Organic Malbec Clasico Mendoza

GRAPE VARIETY. 100% Organic Malbec.

COLOUR. A concentrated and lively color, ruby red with reddish hues.

AROMA. The nose is very typical of the winery’s style, with notes of plum, underbrush, gunpowder, black pepper, eucalyptus and pink pepper.

PALATE. It has a fresh entry on the palate, with fine acidity and balanced tannins. It is a medium-structured, juicy wine. A modern expression of Malbec, made from organically grown grapes.

PACKING VOLUME. 750ml & 1500ml.

Altos Las Hormigas Terroir Organico Lujan de Cuyo

Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Organic Terroir Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza

GRAPE VARIETY. 100% Organic Malbec.

COLOUR. It shows a concentrated and bright violet red color.

AROMA. The nose is very fruity, with notes of plums and red fruits, but also displays aromas of eucalyptus, menthol, pink pepper and cinnamon.

PALATE. The palate is fresh, with a balanced acidity and a silky texture. It has good volume on the palate, with subtle mineral notes, resulting in a supple wine with a savory, fruity finish. Ideal to pair with roasted red meats and spicy dishes.

Altos Las Hormigas APPELLATION Paraje Altamira Malbec

Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Appellation Pajare Altamira, Uco Valley, Mendoza

GRAPE VARIETY. 100% Malbec.

COLOUR. It shows a bright red color, pure and very lively.

AROMA. The nose is complex, with notes of blue fruits, blueberries, cassis, and some cherry. As the wine unfolds, notes of jarilla, wet stone, violets, orange peel and white pepper appear.

PALATE. On the palate, the entry plays a leading role. The vineyard’s limestone soils are present in the wine as an electric mouthfeel. The sensation is, at the same time, reductive – like gunpowder – resulting in a Malbec with lots of grip, power and strength. It has great texture and supple tannins. The finish is long, persistent, with marked notes of fruit, lime and herbs.