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Argentina

Altura 1024

Altura 1024 is a part of Hand Picked Selections' wine portfolio.

Cabernet Sauvignon

This is a true boutique! Two engineers (Abel Macor and his cousin) decided to live the dream. They saved enough money to buy and plant 40 acres (but with no mule). 'Altura 1024' is the altitude of their vineyard. In Mendoza there is a psychological as well as physical barrier that is crossed at 1000 meters (3280 feet) above sea level. If you are that high or higher, you make a serious statement about quality. The cooler air, rockier soil and steeper slopes make viticulture harder and yields lower, with a corresponding increase in quality. In other countries, such a vineyard site would automatically mean high prices. In struggling Argentina, two people with a small investment can make fine, reasonably priced wine.

The wines are shockingly good for the price, with Cabernet the star. It is dark, peppery, cedary, solid, dense, mouthfilling and screamingly varietal. Rare for Cabernet, it is totally untouched by oak. It is a treasure at a very reasonable price.

A fine value, the black fruit-scented 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon displays good depth and a spicy, chocolate-imbued core of cassis, red currants, and blackberries. Though tannic on the finish, this medium-bodied, rustic effort will please those grilling steaks this summer. Drink it over the next year. Wine Advocate #165 (Jun 2006) Robert Parker 86 points.