The wines of Viñas
de Altura, Argentina
Viñas de Altura, Godoy Cruz 3236, 1425 Buenos Aires,
Argentina
Tel: +54 11 4771 9298 Fax: +54 11 4775 9733
E-mail: akemeny@lavaque.com
New to the UK, Viñas de Altura is the new name for Bodegas
Lavaque. It’s a big operation, with 874 ha of vines,
encompassing the San Rafael (Mendoza), Cafayate Valley (Salta) and
Santa María Valley (Catamarca) wine regions. There are three
separate wineries, one each in these three regions. I was
extremely impressed by these wines, which represent brilliant
commercial winemaking. It should be added that these are all tank
samples: I hope that the final wines are equally as impressive.
For the quality on offer, these represent great bargains, weighing
in at around £5 (the most expensive wines here will be £5.99).
Viñas de Altura Barbera 2002 Cafayate
Intense purple colour. Juicy, liquoricey fruit on the nose.
Concentrated palate with firm tannins and good acidity. Good
concentration of vivid juicy berry fruit: brilliant fruit
intensity. A striking wine. Very good+
Viñas de Altura Merlot 2002 Cafayate
Quite intense pure, leafy edge to the classy blackcurrant
fruit on the nose. The palate shows lovely intense fruit: ripe but
classy. Beautiful balance and concentration here. Very
good/excellent
Viñas de Altura Malbec 2002 Cafayate
Restrained nose shows good balance and nice spicy herby
character. Vivid juicy fruit on the palate with an attractive
spiciness and herbal richness. Quite brilliant. Very
good/excellent
Viñas de Altura Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 Cafayate
Bright-edged blackcurrant fruit dominates the nose, with a
steak of herbal character. The palate displays juicy pure fruit
with good acidity: tasty and pure. Very good+
Viñas de Altura Tannat 2002 Cafayate
Opaque purple/black colour. Lovely spicy-edged, inky
liquoricey fruit on the nose. The palate displays delicious juicy
sweet berry fruit with a savoury edge and a spicy finish. A big,
full-hearted wine. Very good/excellent
Viñas de Altura Torrontés 2002 Cafayate
Extremely aromatic with floral grapey notes. Quite a light
fruity palate with a herby edge. Very good
Lavaque Bonarda 2002 Mendoza
Very deep purple colour. Chocolatey edge to the berry fruit on
the nose. Palate is very appealing with high acidity the dominant
character. A great food wine with pure fruit characters. Very
good+
Lavaque Syrah Tempranillo 2002 Mendoza
Attractive rich juicy fruit with a savoury edge. Good
concentration of pure fruit here. Some oak chips used. Good/very
good
Lavaque Merlot 2002 Mendoza
Very deep coloured. Nice varietal character on the nose, with
leafy blackcurrant fruit. The palate is vivid with ripe pure
fruit. Juicy acidity. Lovely. Very good+
Lavaque Syrah 2002 Mendoza
Nice liquoricey edge to the savoury, spicy berry fruit. Lovely
juicy rich fruit on the palate with good acidity and a spicy edge.
Very good+
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