Mendoza's Gualtallary appellation is now producing some of the most sought-after wines in the New World, taking Malbec to a new level of what we thought was possible. It has propelled names like El Enemigo and Zuccardi into the forefront of the minds of fine wine collectors globally and now Altos Las Hormigas is now reaching these same lofty heights.

The estate is part of the group of new wave Argentine producers making more nuanced and elegant Malbec, with less oak influence and greater focus on expression of their incredible terroir. South America's leading terroir consultant, Pedro Parra, has championed this Mendoza winery and Tim Atkin MW has even awarded Altos Las Hormigas First Growth status in his influential 'Special Argentina Report 2020'.

Altos Las Hormigas are getting better and better each vintage, and the 2018 release of their Gualtallary Malbec is no different, receiving a huge 97 points, its highest score ever, from the Wine Advocate's Luis Gutiérrez.

Their very low-yielding Gualtallary vineyards sit at 1,300 metres above sea level and this high altitude combined with varying temperatures and loamy soils push Malbec to its limits, resulting in wines with power, elegance and a kaleidoscope of flavours. With fine-grained tannins that have a 'wild' edge, the textured palate is 'very tasty' (WA) ending in a long and clean finish. Drinking beautifully now, it will cellar up to 2030.

With the Altos Las Hormigas Gualtallary Malbec 2018 offered today at just £185 per case IB, you still have to pay 49% more for the El Enemigo Gran Enemigo Gualtallary on release, but we don't expect it to stay that way for long.