Zuccardi Polígonos Paraje Altamira Malbec

The grapes for the 2017 Polígonos Paraje Altamira Malbec were picked ten days before the normal date, as the ripeness was accelerating and they had the risk of overripe aromas. Because they have know the different soils within the vineyards, they were able to pick first the sectors that had higher risk. The wine has good ripeness (riper than normal), and it's 14.3% alcohol but doesn't show heat. The thing is, greater ripeness gives the wines more varietal character and less character of the place. There is fruit and purity, and it's tasty, but it doesn't have the complexity I found in 2018. 15,000 bottles were filled in February 2018.

Darkest crimson with black core. More dusty and less rocky than the Poligonos San Pablo. Dark and savoury and almost a hint of char but not oak char, and red fruits too. Smoky. On the palate, more chewy, firmer tannins, utterly dry texture. Not as juicy as the San Pablo. Chalky texture and needs more time. Quite austere at the moment but great finesse. A wine that never shouts – and stems show a little more.