Argentina’s Paraje Altamira is one of the most famed wine regions in South America, renowned for its silky and seductive Malbec wines. Find out why in our ultimate guide to the wines and wine region of Paraje Altamira GI.
Guide to Paraje Altamira GI
Notable producers in Paraje Altamira GI
Quick guide to Paraje Altamira GI
Best wines to try from Paraje Altamira GI
Map of San Carlos, Uco Valley
One of the most renowned sub-regions of both the Uco Valley and Argentina, Altamira’s new frontier of stony soils with a layer of calcium carbonate has been driving winemakers wild in recent years. But this is also a historical region of the Uco Valley, which has many vines that are over 100 years old and are often still in the hands of third and fourth generations of the same families.
Guide to Paraje Altamira GI wine region
The region has been planted since before the 20th century and many hundred-old vineyard estates still remain, often ploughed by horse as they were in yesteryear. In fact, some of the wines I most enjoy from Altamira are from these old Malbec and Semillon vines, in particular, which were often interplanted together.
Alongside these old vines and grower families are large, modern investments from wineries who have come to the region for its distinctive Malbec — renowned for its floral and dark fruit aromas, silky tannins, elegant finesse and fresh acidity. Producers put the character of Altamira Malbec down to the stony soils layered with a crust of calcium carbonate deposits and the cooler climate, especially in the higher parts. This particular character is the reason why producers felt it warranted its own GI and appellation status, beyond the La Consulta and Eugenio Bustos districts and GIs it spans. So they went on to create Paraje Altamira GI — the first appellation of its kind in Argentina.
Paraje Altamira GI covers a total of almost 9,300 hectares (2,800 of which are planted). Although renowned for its Malbec, the well-drained soils and moderate temperatures also make Paraje Altamira an excellent region for white wines (notably Semillon, Chardonnay and Torrontés), and fragrant Cabernet Franc, among other varieties.
Click here to view Amanda’s interview with Sebastián Zuccardi: They discuss Altamira and the best Uco Valley wine regions for making Malbec!
Notable producers in Paraje Altamira
ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS
The Altos Las Hormigas winery and main vineyard is in Luján de Cuyo however production has since spread into the Uco Valley as they continue to look for unique terroir expressions of Malbec
ZUCCARDI
Third generation vigneron Sebastián is now in charge of this forward-thinking winery in Altamira with its large but vibrant portfolio. Stunning architecture and fine dining restaurant
BODEGA TEHO
Superb winemaker and agronomist Colo Sejanovich and his smart, business-minded partner Jeff Mausbach make a range of mouth-watering, terroir-driven wines. TintoNegro, Buscado Vivo o Muerto and Manos Negras are within their fold
CHAKANA
Chakana winery is based in Lujan de Cuyo’s Agrelo region and owns vineyards in the Uco Valley. All of their vineyards are managed organically and biodynamically
BODEGA ARGENTO
Bodega Argento’s Finca Altamira vineyard is located in the heart of Uco Valley and is planted with different selections of Malbec in different rootstocks, due to the heterogeneity of the soil within the estate.
SUSANA BALBO WINES
While the winery is located in Luján de Cuyo, in the renowned red wine region of Agrelo, most of their production comes from the Uco Valley: La Delfina in Paraje Altamira, Los Carolinos in Los Chacayes, and Brío in Los Arboles
PIPA
PIPA is an association for small, independent producers and growers in Paraje Altamira. You can read more about the members and their wines here!
Winemaker’s perspective on Paraje Altamira: Sebastián Zuccardi
The most important characteristic of Paraje Altamira is that this is the first part of the alluvial cone of the Río Tunuyán. And in this southern part of the Uco Valley, you can’t really go much higher than 1,100 metres because you hit the Frontal Cordillera. So in Paraje Altamira we have the soils that were brought down by the river when it was at its fastest and with great energy after the glacier thaw, and so the rocks are enormous! What is really interesting to me is this unique soil combination of mainly granite rocks that are covered with a thick layer of calcium carbonate, which is rare in the world and only found in a couple of places in the Uco Valley. This gives great complexity and diversity to Altamira’s soils. In general, these soils give you a red fruit profile with herbal notes, but it is the texture of these wines that is the DNA of Paraje Altamira soils!”
Terroir Selection: Best wines to try from Paraje Altamira
ZUCCARDI, Finca Piedra Infinita Supercal
Paraje Altamira GI. $$$$. Drinking window <25 years
This is an exemplary wine from one of Argentina’s leading new generation vignerons, Sebastián Zuccardi. Power and finesse overarch a mille-feuille of violet, mineral and juicy black forest fruit aromas. It has a precise, long, chalky and somewhat breath-taking finish that lingers for moments. A grand cru of Altamira, which will age well. Its little brother ‘Piedra Infinita’ is of similar ilk and another top pour from the region.
SUSANA BALBO WINES, Nosotros Single Vineyard Nómade
Paraje Altamira GI. $$$$. Drinking window <25 years
This is one of the top wines from Susana Balbo and, with a few years in the bottle, it is just coming into its own. The ripe dark fruit, black olive and meaty aromas on the nose are the Yin to the Yang of the fresh, floral and silky mouthfeel. Quite the experience.
ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS, Appellation Paraje Altamira
Paraje Altamira GI. $$. Drinking window <20 years
Altos’ Appellation line is all about how each terroir expresses in the glass, in this case Altamira’s juicy red fruit, purple flower aromas and seductively silky tannins, combined with freshness and tension. Superb quality for under US$50.
BODEGA TEHO, Zaha Toko Vineyard Cabernet Franc
Paraje Altamira GI. $$. Drinking window <15 years
Alejandro Sejanovich makes a range of fabulous wines from Altamira, but this is the highlight for me — a floral, mineral and spicy Cabernet Franc driven by fresh black fruit, cracked black pepper and wild herbal aromas. Expressive, vibrant and refreshing.
LUI, Grand Reserva Malbec
Paraje Altamira GI. $$. Drinking window <15 years
Mauricio Vegetti is one of Argentina’s most promising independent winemakers and this Malbec from his personal project, Lui, shows the former cooper’s mastery of managing oak and fruit. Perfumed with black fruit, pepper and violets, this is silky and fine.
SUSANA BALBO WINES, Signature Barrel Fermented Torrontés
Paraje Altamira GI. $$. Drinking window <10 years
Susana Balbo redefined Torrontés from Salta in the 80s and now this wine redefines Torrontés from Mendoza by taking it to a new level of complexity, aged in the barrel for structure and tension. Vibrant, aromatic and very food-worthy.
ARGENTO, Single Vineyard Finca Altamira Organic Malbec
Paraje Altamira GI. $$. Drinking window <10 years
Argento has undergone its own winemaking revolution in recent years and this organic Malbec exemplifies their new, fresh and approachable style, as well as reflecting the bright, juicy fruit and floral notes of Altamira. A mouth-watering and bright Malbec to drink chilled on a summer evening.
MENDEL, Semillón
Paraje Altamira GI. $$. Drinking window <15 years
Roberto de la Mota was the first person to make old-vine Semillon a cult classic in Argentina and his excellent value wine from this old vineyard in Altamira still delivers one of the most focused and precise Semillon wines, which ages like a dream. I’ve often hit the jackpot, finding old vintages hidden away in dusty wine shops in Mendoza. If you can hold onto this, do so! Trust me, it gets so much better with age. Flintier, waxier and quintessentially Semillon.
TINTO NEGRO, Finca La Escuela Malbec
Paraje Altamira GI. $$. Drinking window <15 years
This juicy Malbec shows all the brightness of Altamira while being a serious food wine with aromas of roses, red fruit and pencil shavings and a textured yet bright finish. The use of grapes harvested from plots with different soil types in the vineyard has added to the complexity of this wine. What’s more, some of the proceeds from its sale go to the local children’s school.
CHAKANA, Ayni Malbec
Paraje Altamira GI. $$. Drinking window <15 years
This perfumed Malbec exudes floral and red fruit notes, so typical of Altamira, and has the silky tannins and harmonious balance of prime examples from the region. A really classy Malbec from the organic and biodynamic Chakana winery, and a real bargain for what you get in the bottle.
ZUCCARDI, Aluvional Malbec
Paraje Altamira GI. $$$. Drinking window <15 years
Zuccardi’s single-vineyard line of wines is an excellent line-up, but my favourite is this one from Altamira for its invigorating mineral character and floral lift. Zuccardi’s style has gradually been erring towards more austere, taut wines compared to previous vintages, but it is still a beautifully juicy and giving wine.
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Map of San Carlos in Uco Valley wine region
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