| 94 Points Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “The 2013 Zaha Malbec is co-fermented with a little Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, all of them from an Altamira vineyard called Toko, which in Huarpe means stone. It has notes of blackberries, violets, damsons, scorched earth and some licorice. It's powerful and fleshy, with very fine tannins, great balance and freshness. A structured and layered Malbec that is still a baby and that should develop more complexity with time in bottle. 7,200 bottles. Drink: 2015-2021.” - Luis Gutierrez, August 2015
91 Points Decanter: “Concentrated, opulent blackberry, plum fruits and violet floral notes complimented by a sea breeze freshness, fine gentle tannins and velvety texture. Zaha Malbec 2013 is round, full-bodied and very well balanced; a delightful Malbec. Alcohol 14.0%.”
91 Points James Suckling: “A stylish and funky red with blueberry, dried meat and hints of fresh leather, yet subtle and intriguing. Full body, fresh acidity and a bright finish. Oyster shell and hints of limestone too. Drink and enjoy.” May 2015
FROM THE PRODUCER
ZaHa means 'Heart' in Mendoza's native Huarpe language. The 90% Malbec fruit
is co-fermented with small amounts of 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot for additional complexity and concentration.
Discovering Paraje Altamira's Micro-Terroirs: Paraje Altamira, with its high altitude (4,000 feet) and cool microclimate, has become synonymous with world-class Malbecs. The soils of Paraje Altamira are very diverse, with patches of sandy, rocky and silty soils dispersed throughout the vineyard. At the moment of harvest, each soil profile imparts distinct aromatic and flavor profiles to the Malbec fruit – floral notes in the sandy patches, stony minerality in the rocky areas, and dark fruits in the silty soils. The combination of these profiles lends excellent complexity to the final wine.
Winemakers & Co-Owners: Alejandro“Colo” Sejanovich and Jeff Mausbach
Fruit Source: 100% from estate ZaHa (heart) vineyard in San Carlos, Valle de Uco, Mendoza. 17 acres vineyard; 0.9 kilo production per plant; planted 2008.
Varietals: Three Malbec lots: one co-fermented with 3% Cabernet Franc, one 100% Malbec, and the other co-fermented with 1% Petit Verdot.
Lot 1 Cabacera: This is the very end of each row, where the row begins. This part of the vineyard has very sandy soils, was harvested first on April 1, and was co-fermented with 3% of Cabernet Franc. The
Malbec from this lot portrays intense floral aromatics with bright, crisp acidity. The Cabernet Franc adds mid palate depth and additional structure.
Lot 2 Calcario: This lot is a swath of very rocky, calcareous (chalky, lime) soil in the vineyard. This lot was harvested second on April 7th and fermented as 100% Malbec. The Malbec from this vineyard lot portrays a dark fruit profile with a marked mineral character.
Lot 3 Silt: This lot is a patch of shallow, fine silt soil with some surface stones in the vineyard. This lot was harvested on April 21st and was co-fermented with 1% Petit Verdot. The Malbec from this area of the vineyard shows a black fruit profile and a full, rich mid palate. The Petit Verdot
adds finely grained, very ripe tannins for structure and backbone.
Aging: Fermented in small 500kg bins and aged for 12 months in French oak, 50% new.
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