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SonVida Malbec
Sonvida ( Casa Altamira )
Argentina - Mendoza    - Uco Valley   

SonVida Malbec is a single vineyard wine, the supreme expression of the award-winning zone of Altamira, in Argentina's Uco Valley. Altamira's smooth tannins shine through, and the combination of acidity and minerality lead the wine to a long, integrated finish.

"The wine is proud to be ripe and generous. Aromas dominated by smokey mulberry and blueberry. It's plush and coats the palate with bramble, blueberry and liquorice and the scent of vanilla. Immediately muscular and broad-shouldered in the glass, with a savory note, perhaps tapenade, running through the dense palate with mint and dried herbs on the finish. The oak will integrate over time, mixing its spice with the warm spice of fruit." - Joe Fattorini - The Wine Show

Specifications
Appellation
Uco Valley
Wine Type
Red
Varietal(s)
100% Malbec
Soil type
alluvial pebbles
Vinification
24 days maceration - cold soaked for 3 days, fermentation at 24 degrees Celsuis for 14 days, plus 7 additional days. Aged 12 months in 80% French, 20% American oak. Unfiltered.
Production
400 (9-liter cases)
Pairings

Red meat, chicken, turkey and hard cheeses. 

Reviews and News

2018 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 90 PTS - WE

2018 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 90 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 90 pts

 "Blackberry aromas are ripe and blend with hints of aniseed on the nose of this full–bodied wine. Meaty black-fruit flavors are framed by chalky tannins. This red has intense flavors and moderate acidity. It finishes with chocolate in the aftertaste. - Jesica VARGAS."

- Wine Enthusiast (December 2022), 90 pts

2017 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 93 PTS - JS

2017 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 93 PTS - JS

james suckling hq logo plain"A bold, dark-berry and cherry-fruited style with a strong core of rich blueberries and red cherries, as well as nuances of fresh tobacco. The depth and sweeping, fleshy texture is terrific. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (March 2019), 93 pts

2017 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 92 PTS - WA

2017 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 92 PTS - WA

wa"I loved the clean and expressive nose of the 2017 Malbec, a wine that didn't show any excess. It felt extremely young, it's subtle, elegant and balanced, with very fine tannins, great purity and focus. It's an Altamira Malbec with the soul of an old-world red. This should make old bones if you can resist pulling the cork. 6,000 bottles produced. - Luis Gutiérrez"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #245, October 2019), 92 pts

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2017 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 92 PTS - TA

2017 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 92 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"Quantities of former diplomat and journalist David Smith's Malbec are small at only 9,000 bottles, alas, but this is well worth tracking down. Bright, aromatic and deeply coloured, with assertive oak, fine tannins and floral top notes, this has the concentration to age further in bottle."
- Tim Atkin (Argentina Report 2020), 92 pts

2017 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 92 PTS - Gold Medal - BTI

2017 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 92 PTS - Gold Medal - BTI

bti"Black violet color. Elegant, earthy aromas of dark chocolate, grilled nuts, creme brulee, soil, vanilla, and violets with a velvety, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a complex, medium-long black cassis, plum jam, toffee, tobacco, and black tea with cream finish with heavy oak flavor. A heavily oaked, decadent Malbec with alluring complexity."

- Beverage Testing Institute (February 2021), 92 pts

2015 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 93 PTS - TA

2015 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 93 PTS - TA

 tim atkin logo 250"Former diplomat and journalist David Smith doesn’t make much wine, alas, but the quality is extremely good indeed. Subtle, refreshing and marked by the chalky terroir of Paraje Altamira, it’s a nuanced, skilfully oaked Malbec with precision, focus and impressive palate length. 2020-25"
- Tim Atkin, Argentina Special Report 2018), 93 pts

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2015 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 93 PTS - SILVER MEDAL- Decanter World Wine Awards

2015 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 93 PTS - SILVER MEDAL- Decanter World Wine Awards

decanter silver 2018"A gorgeously rustic, complex wine packed with blossom, dark fruits and Christmas spices. Rich and satisfyingly rounded with soft tannins."
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2018, 93 pts - SILVER MEDAL

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2015 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 92 PTS - WA

2015 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 92 PTS - WA

wa"The 2015 Malbec has an old-world style in its balance, elegance and smoothness but with the chalky texture of the Altamira soils. It's very harmonious and young, as classic as it gets, medium-bodied and very drinkable. It has developed some extra complexity in the bottle and comes through as complex and layered. Terrific right now. 4,800 bottles were filled in 2017. - Luis Gutiérrez"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #245, October 2019), 92 pts

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2014 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 92 PTS - VINOUS

2014 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 92 PTS - VINOUS

 vinous logo"Bright, dark red. Musky blueberry, licorice, mocha and minerals on the bright nose. Considerably denser and sweeter than the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon but still with a fine-grained texture and an absence of hard edges, not to mention enticing peppery lift. In texture and mouth feel, this reminds me more of a juicy Cabernet--and a classy one at that. Energetic, firmly built wine with lively, harmonious acidity and fine-grained tannins. There's nothing weighty or superripe about this beautifully balanced wine. Stephen Tanzer"
- Vinous (July 2017), 92 pts

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2014 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 90 PTS - WE

2014 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 90 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 90 pts

 "Heady berry and spice flavors are made darker and stronger by toasty oak notes. This wine has a fresh, tannic, pulling palate that's home to lightly herbal plum and berry flavors. Additional spice and toasty oak notes give a bright, juicy finish extra gravitas. Drink through 2022. - Michael Schachner"
- Wine Enthusiast (October 2017), 90 pts

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2014 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 90 PTS - Silver Medal - Decanter World Wine Awards

2014 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 90 PTS - Silver Medal - Decanter World Wine Awards

decanter silver 2017 th

 Decanter World Wine Awards 2017, 90 pts

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2014 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 89 PTS - WA

2014 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 89 PTS - WA

wa89"The 2014 Malbec was produced with grapes from Valle de Uco. It has some medicinal and balsamic notes, with aromatic herbs and wild fruit, and something petrol-like. The palate is medium-bodied and nicely balanced, with fine tannins and a touch of rusticity. - Luis Gutiérrez"
- - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #237, June 2018), 89 pts

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2013 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 92 PTS - W&S

2013 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 92 PTS - W&S

wine and spirits logo 250"Sonia and David Smith, a British couple that settled in Mendoza, began producing wine in 2007 in Altamira, in the Uco Valley. Their 2013 shows the most refreshing and fruity side of malbec, the crisp red fruit flavor and violet notes lifted by its effusive energy. Firm acidity and prickly tannins suggest a match with venison."
- Wine & Spirits Magazine (February 2016), 92 pts

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2013 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 91 PTS - WE

2013 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 91 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 91 pts

 "Ripe and balsamic off the bat, this Malbec deals earthy, well-oaked aromas of baked black fruits. This is full but balanced, with nothing too severe or heavy on the palate. Black cherry, berry and vanilla flavors finish clean, mild and smooth. Drink through 2020. - Michael Schachner"
- Wine Enthusiast (October 2016), 91 pts

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2013 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 90 PTS - WINE VALUE - WA

2013 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 90 PTS - WINE VALUE - WA

wa90From a high-elevation estate in the heart of Malbec country, the Valle de Uco, Son Vida's 2013 Malbec is 95% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 15% new French oak for 14 months. This wine shows loads of blackberry fruit and hints of white chocolate and espresso bean in a medium to full-bodied, beautifully rich, full style with terrific focus and freshness. This should drink well for at least 5-6 years."
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (March 2016), 90 pts - Excellent Wine Values for Under $25

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2012 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 94 PTS - WE

2012 Sonvida Malbec Mendoza - 94 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 94 pts"This gorgeous Malbec gets it right. Compact, minerally aromas of blackberry are deep and a bit feral. The palate is juicy and pulses with ribald berry fruit and acidity. Blackberry flavors are beefy, salty and a touch roasted, while the finish is baked, rich and perfectly oaked. Drink through 2020. - Michael Schachner"
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine (December 2014), 94 pts + Editor's choice + #4 in the TOP 100 Wines for 2014

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Producer Information: Sonvida ( Casa Altamira )

SonVida is the dream of David S. and Sonia R., a Brit-Argentina marriage of two former journalists who dreamed of owning a vineyard and making a world-class wine. Sonia and ...
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