Altocedro Winery The winery and vineyards of Altocedro are located in the premier region of La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Mendoza in Argentina. Winemaker and owner Karim Mussi Saffie, together with his family, have been part of the wine industry for over 30 years. The family was one of the first pioneers in the country to export viticulture products. Altocedro uses sustainable growing practices to produce limited amounts of terroir driven wines. The vines range up to 100 years of age. All harvesting, sorting, and crushing are done in individual batches by hand. Fermentation occurs either in small cement tanks or in barrels, and the extract is done with a gravity flow system developed at the winery over 100 years ago. Altocedro has become synonymous with outstanding La Consulta wine. In 2000 the ancient winery was renovated and state-of-the-art technology was added, thus creating a blend of the best traditional winemaking processes with technological innovation. To that end, the traditional grape transport system was replaced by a system that avoids damage to the grapes and the corresponding increase in temperature. This way the grapes arrives intact to the fermentation tank by a selection table that assures cleanliness and varietal purity. Altocedro has three vineyards where high quality grapes are cultivated under different techniques. These ancient vines have been true witnesses of our viticulture evolution, creating a living expression of Argentine viticulture. |  | Featured this month: 2009 Reserve Malbec
100% Malbec The Altocedro Reserva grapes come from very old vineyards (65+ years) and 100% of the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. This wine is more complex and stronger and is geared towards a more experienced consumer, who is used to drinking full bodied wines. Critical acclaim:
"A dark and racy red, sporting a creamy mix of blackberry, cassis and dark plum fruit wrapped in silky tannins. Hints of freshly cured tobacco and spice fill the finish. Drink now through 2014.
1,667 cases made." 92 Points
Wine Spectator |