In 1995, Alberto Antonini, a well-known Tuscan wine maker, and Antonio Morescalchi, a young entrepreneur, visited major viticultural areas of Argentina and discovered the potential of Malbec from Mendoza. They promptly purchased a vineyard near the township of Lujàn de Cuyo.

Malbec is a French varietal that is also known as Cot and is typically found in Cahors in Southwest France. It was brought to Argentina in the middle of the 19th century. This variety is delicate and requires specific climatic conditions to express its full potential. Hot days and very cool nights make the area particularly well suited for the cultivation of high quality Malbec. Climate and soil conditions combined with traditional Argentine viticultural practices—such as irrigation—result in high quality wine with excellent depth such as the Altos Las Hormigas Reserva.

Fully ripened grapes from 80-year-old vineyards are vinified in small stainless steel vats. They undergo a fermentation and maceration process that lasts four weeks. The wine is finally transferred to small French oak barrels where it matures for 18 months before it is bottled without filtration.

This beautiful ruby red wine offers up loads of blackberry and creamy cassis scents and notes of freshly cut violet with traces of cigar smoke and pepper. Juicy, dark fruit flavors cover the palate and provide ample depth, while a bright tone of acidity enlivens the silken tannins that ride out the finish. Ideal with grilled steak, the world-renowned Argentine specialty.

—Donald