Country: Argentina  Region: Salta  Vintage: 2016 Category: Red Wine  Color:  Red Producer: Amalaya "Amalaya translates as 'hope for a miracle' in the indigenous language of the now extinct tribe, the Calchaquí. The winery is situated in the Calchaquí Valley in Salta, in the far north of Argentina, at nearly 1,828 metres above sea level. It is a part of the Hess Family Wine Estates and is run with the same dedication to quality, sustainability and social responsibility as the other Hess estates - Colomé, Glen Carlou and Hess. Amalaya has 80 hectares planted with Malbec, Torrontés, Riesling, Tannat, Petit Verdot, Bonarda, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot, with another 40 hectares in development. The grapes are sourced from three vineyards: 'Finca Las Mercedes' (with deep sandy soils); 'Finca San Isidro' (with rocky soils); and 'Finca Amalaya', which has fractured rocky soils and stones of varying sizes.Like the wines of Bodega Colomé, the grapes benefit from being planted at altitude.The vines are drip irrigated using mountain run-off water that is stored in reservoirs because the average annual rainfall is only 150mm. The red wines are fermented in small concrete tanks, while the white wines are fermented in stainless steel tanks.The Amalaya White is a blend of 85% Torrontés and 15% Riesling. The Torrontés contributes weight and aroma to the blend and the Riesling gives it freshness. The Amalaya Red is a blend of 75% Malbec, 15% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.Forty per cent of the wine is aged for 10 months in French oak, mainly second fill. The Amalaya 'Gran Corte' is a blend of 85% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Tannat. It is aged in both French and American oak for 12 months, of which 20% are new and 80% second use. The Corte Unico, Amalaya's flagship wine, is a blend of 90% Malbec, 5% Tannat and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is fermented in new barrels and aged for 12 months in French oak. The wine is perfumed, with sweet plum and bramble flavours which accompany vanilla spice and supple tannins. All of the Amalaya wines are fruit driven in style, with a finesse that unites them. These wines offer incredible value for their quality, and truly reflect their 'sense of place'." Product Features: Vegan;Vegetarian Winemaker: Francisco Puga Vineyards: The fruit for this single vineyard flagship wine comes from the San Isidoro vineyard located in the Cafayate Valley in the very heart of the Calchaqui Valley. At 1800 metres above sea level, it is distinguished for being the highest wine region in the world. The climate here is very dry, with just 150mm of rain in an average year and a huge temperature difference of around 20°C. The soils here are rocky, poor and sandy so the roots of the vines are forced to dig deep to find the vital nutrients and water they need, which in turn results in a huge concentration of flavour within the fruit. Vinification: After careful sorting by hand at the winery, the grapes were barrel fermented in new French oak for 60 days. Malolactic fermentation took place and once complete, the wine was then aged in French oak for a period of 12 months. Tasting Notes: Deep and intense in colour. Black fruit and spices on the nose, with floral undertones. Well-balanced, the palate is complex and full-bodied with fine grained tannins. Food Suggestion:  A seductive pairing with tender game dishes or a tomato-stuffed mushrooms. Closure: Natural Cork  ABV:14.5% Acidity [g/l]: 5.7