Alta Yari Gran Corte Mendoza – 2020

This delicious blend of 60% Cabernet Franc, 35% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon comes from vineyards planted at 1500mts altitude in the Gualtallary sub region of Mendoza’s Uco Valley. It displays a wild freshness of fruit with hints of mineral and spice. It spent 16 months in French oak barrels which have helped add complexity and a smooth, velvety finish. Bordeaux finesse combined with Andes mountain fruit concentration! Enjoy with a rack of lamb in a rich jus.

Around 650 cases were produced. Drink now – 2028

“If you want to taste a red that expresses the quintessence of high-altitude Gualtallary, look no further than this stunning assemblage of Cabernet Franc with 35% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in deftly handled 50% new wood, it’s wonderfully fresh and well-balanced, with thyme and wet stone aromas, racy acidity and tangy red plum and black cherry fruit.” 96pts by Tim Atkin MW, Argentina Special Report 2022

Hervé Joyaux Fabre moved to Mendoza in Argentina from Bordeaux in the early 1980s to set up his winery, Fabre Montmayou. For the past 40 or so years he has been producing excellent Malbecs – both at high altitudes (and therefore cooler temperatures) in Mendoza, and further south in cooler climate Patagonia.

During the past few years, he and his wife Diane have spent much of their free time searching the high altitude Gualtalary sub region of Mendoza’s Uco Valley for the perfect terroirs to grow their flagship Cabernet Franc and Malbec grapes. Their “Alta Yari” project is the culmination of this search and their Cabernet Franc-dominated “Gran Corte” red shows the immense potential of blending low-yielding Cabernet Franc and Malbec grapes from the best terroirs in the Andes mountains.