Amalaya, Calchaquí Valley Malbec

In the indigenous language of the now-extinct Calchaquí tribe, Amalaya translates to ‘hope for a miracle’. Situated in the Calchaquí Valley in Salta, the Amalaya winery sits at a staggering elevation of 1,828 metres and is now part of the Hess Family Wine Estates of Hess Collection, Napa Valley fame. They run Amalaya with the same dedication to quality, sustainability and social responsibility as the other famed Hess estate in the region, Bodega Colomé.

Amalaya comprises 80 hectares of vines planted with Malbec, Torrontés, Riesling, Tannat, Petit Verdot, Bonarda, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot, with an additional 40 hectares in development. Their grapes are sourced from two vineyards: ‘Finca Las Mercedes’ (located at 1,770 metres above sea level, with deep sandy soil) and ‘Finca San Isidro’ (located at 1,800 metres above sea level with rocky soils). Amalaya’s vines are also drip irrigated using mountain run-off water stored in reservoirs, as the climate is semi-arid and average annual rainfall is between just 120 - 180mm.

The red wines are fermented in small concrete tanks, while the whites are fermented in stainless steel. For the Torrontés/Riesling, the Torrontés contributes weight and aroma, and the Riesling gives freshness and citrus notes to the blend. The Malbec has a touch of spice alongside intense berry aromas, as 25% of the wine was aged in second-use French oak for eight months. The ‘Gran Corte’ blends Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Tannat, aged in French and American second and third-use oak barrels for 12 months. The wine has a vibrant red fruit and blackberry character accompanying vanilla spice and supple tannins. All the Amalaya wines are fruit-driven in style, with a finesse that unites them. They offer incredible value for their quality and truly reflect a sense of place.