The 2019 Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Gualtallary is a standout wine from Argentina's Mendoza region, specifically the Tupungato sub-region. Produced by Altos Las Hormigas, this Malbec is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, from vineyard to bottle, presenting a wine that is both structured and expressive.
This vintage has garnered high praise from multiple reviewers, highlighting its complex profile and aging potential. James Suckling awarded it a score of 95, noting its "dense and powerful" nature. He describes the wine as having "violet, hibiscus, oyster-shell, and hot-stone notes to the black and blue fruit," which contribute to its fresh and scented character. Suckling also mentions the wine's "fine austerity" and suggests it will be best enjoyed from 2025.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave the wine an even higher score of 97, emphasizing its origins from specific soils in the Cerros del Jaboncillo. According to the review, the wine fermented in small concrete vats with indigenous yeasts and matured predominantly in untoasted 3,500-liter French oak foudres. The result is a "very balanced wine that talks about the place where it was born," with "vibrant and expressive" qualities and "elegant but firm tannins." The reviewer, LG, finds the wine to possess "depth and complexity," likening its tannins to those of Serralunga.
Vinous, which rated the wine at 92, highlights its "dark purple hue" and aromas of "chicken stock, herbs, and hints of blackberry and ripe fruit." The review by Joaquin Hidalgo also points out the wine's "refined, reactive, slightly young tannins" and "firm structure," which lend it greater depth.
Wine Enthusiast awarded the wine a score of 94, praising its representation of the Gualtallary terroir. Jesica Vargas notes the presence of "violets, blackberry, and cherry" on the nose, along with "hints of salt and oak spices." She describes the palate as "delicate" with "excellent acidity and chalky texture," and suggests the wine is "delicious now, but is ageworthy," recommending it be enjoyed through 2029.
Overall, the 2019 Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Gualtallary is a well-reviewed, high-quality Malbec that showcases the unique characteristics of its terroir, with excellent aging potential.