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Home , Buenos Aires wines, Cafayate, Cuyo (Argentina), Malbec, Mendoza Province, Salta

Argentina With numerous historic , Mendoza is the main MENDOZA growing region of . Over the past decade, Mendoza has been the center of attention for its high quality, high value & . Located in the middle of Argentina’s north/south axis, Mendoza is in the far west, bordering .

• Vines were probably brought from , Chile or and were first planted in the 16th Century by Jesuit missionaries in the foothills of the near Mendoza.

• Mendoza’s soil is mostly sand, with gravel, limestone and clay, an ideal mix for wine growing; phylloxera has not been a problem due to the high percentage of sand.

• Mendoza’s high elevations (3,280 ft. and above), its semi-arid, near Continental climate conditions, generous and intense sunlight, and winds from the Andes, are ideal for wine growing.

• Within and 760 miles north of Mendoza, is Argentina’s prime area for Torrontés. Alta Vista farms at 5,450 feet elevation, and other vines are situated at 7,000-9,800 SALTA Alta Vista feet. The highest vineyards in the world, these cool climate sites Premium Torrontés have wide day/night thermal amplitude which imparts terrific acidity to the for balanced, well-structured wines. Argentina

Alta Vista

MENDOZA MENDOZA

7

Alta Vista

40 PUERTO MADRYN

MENDOZA

PACIFIC OCEAN

Introducing ALTA VISTA

Mendoza, Argentina

Property: Alta Vista was established in 1998 by the d’Aulan family whose holdings also include properties in and Hungary. Alta Vista’s choice vineyards and in Mendoza and Salta best highlight the characters of Argentina’s typical varieties: and Torrontés. The Alta Vista range has three lines: Classic wines show the true character of each ; Premium wines are made from estate-grown fruit and benefit from management that maximizes the expression of each variety; and the Luxury line, representing a true benchmark, captures the distinct characters of each from estate vineyards in the finest locations. All estate vineyards are distinguished by their high elevation. Climate and Terrain: The vineyards are situated at 3,280-3,609 feet elevation. In the altitude’s more intense sunlight, radiation and photosynthesis are greater, which increases ripeness in the grapes. Alta Vista farms vineyards in the areas of Lujan de and Valle de Uco, the best winegrowing areas within Mendoza, and Cafayate, the prime area in Salta. Mendoza is the most highly reputed area for top quality Malbec, as is Cafayate for Torrontés. Mendoza’s proximity to the Andes Mountains produces day/night temperature shifts of up to 72°F, a quality shared by many of the world’s best wine growing regions, which helps to develop complexity in the grapes. With low rainfall (10 in./year), very warm summers and cold winters, Mendoza is quite similar to a Continental climate in Europe, relatively extreme but exceptional for wine growing. A generally semi- arid climate and Argentina’s “Zonda” winds that blow east from the foot of the Andes toward Mendoza help moderate the area’s climate conditions and keep it cool and dry. Grape Varieties: Malbec, , and Torrontés.

Did You Know . . .

• With its Terroir Management® system, Alta Vista adapts to the characteristics of each terroir. Aerial infra-red photos are used to make custom maps of each vineyard. Using this detailed information, the wine growing methods and dates are adapted to each separate plot. • In 2004, the completed a two-year restoration of the historic winery built in 1899. • Alta Vista’s owners, the d’Aulan family, owned the well-known Champagne house Piper Heidsieck until 1988 when it was sold to Rémy Martin.

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Introducing Alta Vista — Classic Classic Malbec Classic Cabernet Sauvignon Classic Chardonnay

Origin: Mendoza Varieties: Classic Malbec — 100% Malbec Classic Cabernet Sauvignon — 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Classic Chardonnay — 100% Chardonnay In the Vineyard: Alta Vista’s Classic Malbec, Classic Cabernet Sauvignon and Classic Chardonnay exhibit the true character of their grape varieties. Fresh and intense, each wine’s aromas and flavors are typical of their varieties and thus provide an excellent introduction to the “fruit forward” characteristics and overall quality of wines from Argentina. In the Winery: Classic Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon are vinified by aging 25% of the wine in American barrels for 6 months, and an additonal 3 months in bottle. Classic Chardonnay is aged for 3 months and a further 3 months in bottle. These wines are approachable, fun and easy-to-drink, perfect for every day drinking and for relaxed, casual foods. Tasting Notes: Classic Malbec — Shows intense aromas of plum, black cherry and exotic spices, with notes of coffee and vanilla from the oak barrels. The flavors on the palate are fresh, with good structure and soft tannins, and the finish is full and concentrated, with spice notes. Classic Cabernet Sauvignon — Displays layered aromas of ripe, red fruits with black pepper and toasted oak notes before juicy red berry flavors on the palate; medium-bodied and balanced. The wine has smooth tannins and a touch of oak on the long finish. Classic Chardonnay — The wine’s pineapple and pear aromas evolve into fresh and persistent fruity flavors in the mouth, with a trace of oak. The wine has good structure and texture.

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Alta Vista — Premium Introducing Premium Malbec Premium Cabernet Sauvignon Premium Torrontés

Origin: Premium Malbec & Premium Cabernet Sauvignon — Mendoza Premium Torrontés — Salta Varieties: Premium Malbec — 100% Malbec; Premium Cabernet Sauvignon — 100% Cabernet Sauvignon; Premium Torrontés — 100% Torrontés In the Vineyard: Great wines are produced in unique places. Alta Vista’s 516 acres of estate vineyards are situated in the best terroirs of Mendoza and Salta, at 3,200 feet above sea level. Each vineyard receives expertise that is tailored to each grape variety via specific treatments called Terroir Management®. In the Winery: Premium Malbec undergoes extended for optimal color and aromas. Half the wine is aged for 12 months in French and American oak barrels, before an additional 3 months aging in bottle. Premium Cabernet Sauvignon completes a short maceration to avoid harsh tannins. Aging is identical to Premium Malbec. Premium Torrontés is made from destemmed grapes gently pressed and vinified without to preserve vibrant aromas and acidity. Aged on the lees for 2 months in steel tank and 3 months in bottle. Tasting Notes: Premium Malbec — Ripe, red fruit aromas and spicy notes, with round, soft tannins and vibrancy. Premium Cabernet Sauvignon — Intense, complex black fruit aromas, with fresh herb notes. Structured, black fruit flavors and rich tannins, with elegant oak notes. Premium Torrontés — Shows delicate floral aromas and fresh, lively flavors that are clean and energizing.

Accolades: Premium Malbec • Wine Advocate – 90 Points 2009v & 2008v • Wine & Spirits – Best Buy 2006v Premium Cabernet Sauvignon • Wine Advocate – 90 Points 2010v Premium Torrontés • Wine Advocate – 90 Points 2011v, 91 Points 2009v • International – 90 Points 2011v 135 Alta Vista — Luxury Single Vineyard Alizarine Single Vineyard Serenade Single Vineyard Temis

Origin: Mendoza Varieties: 100% Malbec In the Vineyard: Single Vineyard Alizarine, Single Vineyard Serenade and Single Vineyard Temis were introduced in 2001, making Alta Vista the first Argentine winery to produce single vineyard wines. Utilizing their tailored Terroir Management® system for wine growing and , Alta Vista uses grapes grown in distinctive vineyard sites to craft these unique wines that show the true characteristics of each vineyard. In the Winery: The wine growing and winemaking methods are chosen to enhance the characters of each vineyard. All Single Vineyard wines are aged for 12 months in 100% new French oak barrels and an additional 12 months in bottle. Tasting Notes: Single Vineyard Alizarine — Has effusive spice, chocolate and ripe fruit aromas. On the palate, it shows impressive structure, soft tannins and a long finish. Single Vineyard Serenade — Displays energetic aromas of ripe red and black fruits, with notes of earth and game. In the mouth, there are incredibly fresh flavors, with firm, noble tannins that help an elegant character. Single Vineyard Temis — Exhibits fresh fruit and floral aromas before remarkably round flavors on the palate. With sweet tannins, the wine displays great balance between wine and wood characters and a long finish.

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Introducing

Accolades: Single Vineyard Alizarine • Wine Spectator – 93 Points 2010v & 2006v, 92 Points 2009v, 2005v & 2004v, 91 Points 2007v • Wine Advocate – 94 Points 2010v, 91+ Points 2009v, 93 Points 2007v & 2006v, 92 Points 2004v • Wine Enthusiast – 92 Points 2009v

Single Vineyard Serenade • Wine Spectator – 92 Points 2010v, 91 Points 2009v, 2007v & 2005v, 93 Points 2006v, 90 Points 2004v • Wine Advocate – 93 Points 2010v, 2009v, 2006v & 2004v, 91 Points 2007v • Wine Enthusiast – 93 Points 2009v

Single Vineyard Temis • Wine Spectator – 93 Points 2010v, 92 Points 2009v & 2006v, 93+ Points 2007v, 91 Points 2004v • Wine Advocate – 93 Points 2010v, 92 Points 2009v, 2007v & 2006v, 91 Points 2004v • Wine Enthusiast – 92 Points 2009v

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Alta Vista — Luxury Introducing Terroir Selection Malbec

Origin: Mendoza Varieties: 100% Malbec In the Vineyard: Terroir Selection Malbec is made from a blend of four terroirs in Lujan de Cujo and Valle de Uco, each bringing different characteristics to the wine. Lujan de Cujo contributes elements of ripe, mouth filling fruit that is very long on the palate while Valle de Uco supplies strength and young, primary fruit aromas and roundness in the mouth. In the Winery: Terroir Selection Malbec is aged in 100% French oak barrels for 12 months and in bottle for 6 months. The terroirs for Terroir Selection Malbec are: 20% from Alizarine Vineyard in Las Compuertas, Lujan de Cuyo; 5% from Serenade Vineyard in Agrelo, Lujan de Cuyo; 65% from Albaneve Vineyard in Campo de los Andes, Valle de Uco; and 10% from Temis Vineyard in El Cepillo, Valle de Uco. The proportion of grapes from each vineyard in the final blend may vary, depending upon the . Tasting Notes: Spicy, fresh, ripe fruit aromas, with lively acidity, great volume, soft tannins and a long finish.

Accolades: • Wine Enthusiast – 90 Points 2009v • Wine Advocate – 91 Points 2008v & 2006v, 92 Points 2004v • Wine Spectator – 90 Points 2007v, 91 Points 2006v & 2004v • Wine & Spirits Magazine – 90 Points 2005v • International Wine Challenge IWCH – Gold Medal & Argentinian Trophy 2004v • Concours Mondial Bruxelles – Gold Medal 2004v

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Alta Vista — Luxury Introducing Alto

Origin: Mendoza Varieties: 70% Malbec and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon In the Vineyard: Alto, Alta Vista’s iconic wine, represents the benchmark among Argentine wines, crafted from the highest quality grapes from small vineyard parcels with low yields. Hand-picked grapes go through a double selection process on a sorting table. In the Winery: Alto is vinified in small, epoxy-lined concrete tanks which allow a gentle, precise vinification and extraction of polyphenols to produce an elegant wine. It is aged 18 months in new French oak barrels and 36 months in bottle. Tasting Notes: Shows complex black fruit aromas, with spice and chocolate notes. The flavors are concentrated, yet elegant and expressive, with silky tannins and a long, intense finish.

Accolades: • Wine Advocate – 95 Points 2009v & 2006v, 92 Points 2007v, 93 Points 2003v • Wine Spectator – 93 Points 2009v, 94 Points 2007v & 2005v, 95 Points 2006v • Wine Enthusiast – 91 Points 2002v

139 Argentina has recently emerged as one of the world’s PATAGONIA biggest wine producers, currently ranking fifth. With its diverse climate, geography and an influx of Spanish and Italian immigrants, Argentina has become home to a wide range of grapes, including Malbec — with which it is most closely identified — various international varieties, its most prominent white grape, Torrontés, and .

• Patagonia’s Rio Negro Valley is a glacial bed 15.5 miles wide, stretching 310 miles at an elevation of 750 feet above sea level. A network of channels was excavated in the late 1820s by British colonists which utilize melted Andes snow to irrigate the valley, creating an oasis in the middle of the desert.

• Clay, sand, sediments and limestone comprise the soil. The unique combination of geographical, geological and weather conditions has created a special terroir ideal

SALTA for growing grapes. The generally cooler climate is suited to high quality red, white and sparkling varieties, particularly Pinot Noir.

RÍO NEGRO

MENDOZA BUENOS AIRES

NEUQUÉN NEUQUÉN Bodega Chacra RÍO NEGRO 22

Bodega Chacra

PUERTO MADRYN 6

PATAGONIA

140

PACIFIC OCEAN BODEGA CHACRA

Patagonia, Argentina

Property: Founded in 2004 by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta of the Sassicaia winemaking family, Bodega Chacra exclusively crafts Pinot Noir wines from vines growing entirely on their own rootstocks. The wine is 100% Biodynamic,® organic, natural and unfiltered. Incisa della Rocchetta found the property with existing, though abandoned, Pinot Noir vines planted over seventy years ago, producing tiny bunches of small, concentrated berries. Climate and Terrain: Bodega Chacra is located in the Rio Negro Valley of northern Patagonia, 620 miles south of Buenos Aires and roughly equidistant from the Andes Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. The arid climate and barrier effect of the surrounding desert keep vines free of phylloxera and vine diseases. The air is pristine, allowing for tremendous luminosity and purity of sunlight. The seasons are precisely defined with hot summers, cold winters and mild springs and autumns, which allows for consistent wine quality from vintage to vintage. Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir.

Did You Know . . .

• According to Wine Spectator, “Chacra represents the boutique of the boutique. Lovers of delicately styled, hand fashioned Pinots ... will be rewarded for searching out these wines.”

141 Bodega Chacra Barda

Origin: Rio Negro, Patagonia Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir, organic and Demeter-certified biodynamic In the Vineyard: This wine is crafted from two distinctive old vineyards that produce high quality fruit, planted in 1955 and 1932 and from two vineyards almost 20 years old. The soil composition includes gravel, alluvial pebbles and limestone. Grapes benefit from extreme diurnal temperature variation during the ripening season, adding complexity and maintaining acidity. In the Winery: 100% destemmed by hand, Barda undergoes cold maceration for approximately three days followed by daily punch downs to maximize extraction of color, fruit and tannins. A fermentation of two to three weeks follows. The wine is gravity-fed into French barrels before aging for 11 months, with one . Barda is bottled 100% natural and unfiltered. Tasting Notes: Intense yet delicate, fruity, distinctly Pinot Noir aromas. Fresh with a medium body and silky texture, finishing with a hint of spice.

Accolades: • Wine Spectator – 90 Points 2009v & 2008v • Food & Wine – 2009v 100 Bottles to Drink Right Now. • Wine Enthusiast – 90 Points 2007v “An elegant, floral Pinot Noir from Patagonia’s top producer of Pinot Noir.”

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