This exceptional blend of Malbec, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon is made grapes picked at an altitude of 1,100 metres above sea level hence the name ‘Altitude 1100’. It is one of a trio of Dona Paula wines focusing on the altitude of unique and exceptional vineyards. The other 2 being ‘Altitude 969’ and ‘Altitude 1350’. All three are exceptional and available from us.
In the glass the ‘Altitude 1100’ has floral aromas of violet and rosehip from the Malbec that are complemented by spicy notes, good volume and silky tannins from the Syrah, while the Cabernet Sauvignon imparts a great structure in this complex and balanced wine.
‘Altitude 1100’ comes from three blocks in the Los Indios vineyard, which is located in El Cepillo, San Carlos, in the Uco Valley, at 1,100 metres above sea level. The climate is characterised by warm days and cold nights; the average temperature variation is 16 °C, which encourages a long ripening period in which the grapes slowly build aromatic complexity and the fruit is balanced by refreshing acidity. The average annual rainfall reaches 300 millimetres. The sandy loam soil offers good drainage and encourages low fertility; in some sectors, there are gravel and stone deposits of colluvial origin, bound by a thick, 70 centimetre-deep layer of calcium carbonate known as black caliche. Black caliche appears in very old soils, where the vine vigour is reduced so the grapes produced have concentrated flavours. At Doña Paula, the vineyards have always been managed using sustainable agricultural practices.