Appellation Altamira 2012: 93-95 Points

The 2012 Malbec Appellation Altamira is produced from 100% Malbec from four different vineyards in Altamira in the Uco Valley, two of them new and two old, aged in foudres. It has superb delineation and purity, with a strong mineral sensation that transcends the red fruit (cherries) and the subtle spicy tones, with great persistence and balance. The oak here is perfectly integrated, despite the 3,500-liter foudres being new, but they were untoasted. If I felt a difference with the 2011s, the jump to 2012s is stratospheric. A tour de force Malbec.