2017 Altocedro La Consulta Select Mendoza Argentina

Altocedro is a terroir-driven winery in La Consulta, a unique spot in the Uco Valley, famous for the high-quality grapes from ancient vines. Since 1999, Altocedro makes wine that speaks to the unique and distinct terroir, showcasing balance, elegance, and aging capacity. The founder, Karim was the first pilgrim in La Consulta that positioned built this winery through his "born and raised" vision for producing wines. He is a "paragon" of the Uco Valley that crafts exceptional wines from the ground up.

"Altocedro represents real artisanal winemaking, a boutique operation with some serious talent behind the wheel." -Wine Spectator

Altocedro was founded in 1999 by visionary Karim Mussi. Third-generation Lebanese immigrant, Karim and his family pioneered La Consulta, Uco Valley as a special place to make “born and raised” wines. Twenty years later, in 2019, Karim’s crazy idea became conventional wisdom when La Consulta was classified as one of Argentina’s few Geographic Indication (GI) Appellations. Altocedro is synonymous with outstanding La Consulta wine. Original old vine rootstocks, indigenous yeasts, hundred-year-old concrete fermentation tanks, and Karim’s minimalist winemaking create true terroir-driven wines. The name Altocedro pays homage to Karim’s roots. Cedar trees are considered sacred in the Lebanese culture, and they surround the Altocedro winery and estate vineyard.

Aging: 12 months in French Oak

 42% Malbec, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Tempranillo and 9% Syrah. This wine has a dark, intense color, with hints of violet. The nose reveals a complex mix of aromas including raspberry, black pepper, violets, cloves, and subtle notes of dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine is well-balanced with refreshing acidity and ripe tannins that contribute to the harmony and smoothness of the palate.

A deep-purple tint sets the stage for fleshy blackberry, cassis, fig, and cinnamon aromas. On the palate, this blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Syrah is wide and jammy. Beefy berry, cassis, and black-plum flavors land on a fleshy finish with just enough tightness and focus. Drink through 2022. ~90 Wine Enthusiast