Altos Las Hormigas
ISSUE 173, MAR C H/AP R IL 2014
Stephen Tanzer
2011 Malbec Terroir Valle De Uco Mendoza Good dark red. Musky, slightly reduced aromas of blackberry, currant and licorice hint at almost stewy ripeness. Supple, sweet and seamless, with a fine-grained texture to the dark fruit and licorice flavors. Finishes with supple tannins and nice length. 88 2011 Malbec Reserve Valle De Uco Mendoza Bright medium ruby. Blacker and more medicinal than the 2011 Malbec Terroir, with a note of reduction to the blackberry and licorice aromas. Then juicier and more delineated in the mouth, offering good intensity and lift to the dark fruit, licorice and mineral flavors. There's a bit of porty chocolate here but this wine boasts good energy and depth. Finishes firm and bright, with serious tannic spine and noteworthy length. Less easygoing today than the Terroir bottling. 89 2009 Malbec Single Vineyard Vista Flores Mendoza Bright ruby-red. Black cherry liqueur and nutty oak on the port-like nose. Dense, sweet and very ripe but with good vinosity to the dark berry and nutty oak flavors. Very rich malbec but today the oak element overshadows the wine's fruit. Finishes with firm, dusty, building tannins. I'd give this a year or two to come into better harmony. 90