Amalaya, `Gran Corte` Calchaquí Valley
Vintage: 2022
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | AM203B22 | 6 x 75 | Agglomerated Cork | Available |
Producer
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.
Vineyards
The estates' vineyards are located in the Cafayate Valley in the very heart of the Calchaquí Valley, 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. The average age of the vines is 41 years old. They are trained using both pergola and vertical shoot positioning and planted at a density of 2,700 plants per hectare and 3,800 plants per hectare respectively.
Vintage
The 2022 vintage in the Calchaquí Valley proved exceptional, with excellent conditions throughout the growing season that resulted in outstanding crop quality and quantity. Total rainfall reached 196mm, beginning in summer and providing optimal moisture timing for vine development. The growing season proceeded without frost damage or disease pressure, allowing the vines to develop naturally and healthily. During the critical maturation period, low rainfall prevented any botrytis development while numerous cloudy days provided natural protection from intense sunlight, reducing sunburn risk and contributing to fresher, more elegant fruit characteristics. This ideal balance of adequate early-season moisture, disease-free conditions, and protective cloud cover during ripening created the perfect environment for producing grapes of exceptional quality that capture both the power and finesse characteristic of this renowned high-elevation site.
Vinification
The grapes were hand picked and crushed after careful selection at the winery, followed by a cooling to 8°C with a maceration period at 10°C for three days. Alcoholic fermentation took place at a temperature of around 24°C in small concrete tanks. Malolactic fermentation and ageing took place in both American and French oak barrels of which 20% was new and 80% second use. The wine was aged for a total of 12 months in barrel before bottling.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
Deep ruby red in colour with aromas of red fruit, blackberries and soft vanilla notes imparted from the oak. It's a concentrated, fruit-forward wine with rounded, supple tannins and a long, delicate finish.
Alcohol (ABV)
14.5%
Acidity
5.7 g/l
Residual Sugar
3.7 g/l
pH
3.71
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amalaya | Calchaquí Valley Torrontés/Riesling | AM201 | W | ||
| Calchaquí Valley Malbec | AM202 | R |