The 650 case flagship of Alta Vista is the 2003 Alto, a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Malbec, is sourced from Lujan de Cuyo and Valle de Uco. It is fermented with native yeasts and aged for 15 months in 100% new French oak. Inky purple-colored, it offers a complex bouquet of pain grille, pencil lead, tobacco, espresso, pepper, black currant and blueberry. On the palate the wine is youthfully tight and densely constructed. It will need 6-8 years to blossom but all the components for greatness are present. Alta Vista is owned by the d’Aulan family. The estate is located in Chacras de Coria, just south of Mendoza City and consists of 397 acres. In addition to the single vineyard wines and Alto, they also produce two excellent value wines, a Malbec and a Torrontes.Importer: Banville & Jones Wine Merchants, New York, NY; tel. (888) 455-8466; www.altavistawines.com

Full, dense and powerful is this blend of Malbec and Cabernet, but it’s also ultraripe and loaded with new oak. Earth, cola and blackberry are all attractive aromas, while the berry fruit is commendable. Where this wine slumps, if you can say that, is in the complexity department; it seems almost too simple and easy. Imported by Banville & Jones Wine Merchants. ——M.S.(8/1/2006)—— 88