2022 Altocedro Ano Cero Malbec La Consulta Uco Valley Mendoza 750 ml

Altocedro’s Ano Cero Malbec is the definition of a textbook Mendoza Malbec—that’s why the Court of Master Sommeliers often pours it in blind tastings. With 95 points from the Decanter World Wine Awards, it’s a can’t-miss everyday red that you’ll go through extremely quickly.

“Altocedro represents real artisanal winemaking, a boutique operation with some serious talent behind the wheel," wrote Wine Spectator, who has given their wines Top 100 honors. Sustainable farming, hand-harvesting, double hand-sorting, fermentation in small century-old concrete vats, and aging in French oak are investments of time and money that are rarely seen in wines at this price. 

Winemaker Karim Mussi and his father Mario were pioneers in La Consulta, the rugged southern appellation that has quickly become one of the most in-demand sub-regions of the Uco Valley. Mario started Altocedro in 1989, and Karim took over ten years later, harnessing the stark diurnal temperature variation, radiant sunshine, and alluvial soils spread by the nearby Tunuyán River, which all push the Malbec grape to the brink of ripeness, while mountain freshness helps to focus all that power.

He fermented the Año Cero in century-old cement tanks to preserve purity before aging it in French oak for an added layer of richness. The result is a crowd-pleaser Malbec that will deliver the goods no matter where or when you serve it: By the fire, on its own, or grillside with ribs and flank steak sizzling on a plate, it’s a wine to pop and pour, repeat, repeat…