I loved the 2018 Aluvional Paraje Altamira at first sight. There's a bit more of everything, more aromatic complexity, more flavor and definitely a lot more minerality in the texture and more finesse. They have removed the fat in the Aluvional range; the wines reflect the soils, and in vintages like 2018, there is a jump in precision and expression. There is texture, salinity, austerity and a long-lasting finish, something not easy to achieve with Malbec. Some 70% of the volume matured in concrete and the rest in used 500-liter oak barrels. This is superb. 9,700 bottles were filled in 2019. It should develop nicely and for a long time in bottle.

Zuccardi's 2018 Malbec Aluvional (Paraje Altamira) was 30% aged in French oak for 12 months. Vivid purple in hue. The complex, intense nose offers delicate red fruit with plum and cherry aromas, herbs and touches of violet with even subtler notes. Potent without being concentrated, it is medium-bodied but packed with flavor, juicy and fluid in the mouth. The chalky tannins enhance the tension. There's a lot of scope for this wine to grow in the bottle; I'd love to try it in around 10 years or more.

Inviting and aromatic, with lifted floral notes and a touch of balsamic on the nose, then on to a palate of cassis, plush black fruit, herbal notes and velvet smooth tannins. (Gold) - DWWA 2022

This shows lots of structure with tannins and stones that buttress rather shy and austere character. The fruit comes through at the end, in the form of blackberries, black olives and minerals. Long, structured finish. Better after two or three years.

A big, rich and powerful red, featuring fine-grained flavors of red currant, dark olive and dried blackberry. Minerally midpalate, with a pure-tasting and vibrant finish.