KYSELA PERE ET FILS, LTD.

"The cooler growing conditions of the 2021 vintage are wonderfully apparent in this complex, layered Malbec from Paraje Altamira. Very lightly wooded to allow the terroir to express itself, this is subtle, peppery and floral, with bramble and red berry flavors, chalky precision, granular tannins and a bright, acidity-driven finish. 2024-29"

- Tim Atkin (Argentina Report 2023), 94 pts

"Chakana is an organic and biodynamic producer in Mendoza, that harvests from a vineyard in Paraje Altamira to produce this terroir-focused, minimal intervention Malbec. Aged in a mixture of casks and barrels for 12 months, this is a pure, energetic red in which fresh red fruit aromas combine with spice, herbs and mineral notes. In the mouth, it’s fluid with lively acidity and firm, chalky tannins. A potent, long-lasting wine. Drinking Window: 2023 - 2030"

- Decanter Magazine, 94 pts

"A cellar selection coming from a vineyard that sits 3,200 feet above sea level, the 2020 Malbec Ayni Paraje Altamira sports a deep purple hue as well as gorgeous aromatics of ripe black and blue fruits, savory herbs, graphite, and hints of tobacco. It's ripe, powerful, full-bodied, and opulent, with a silky, seamless mouthfeel and beautiful overall length. This fruit-loaded, sexy, powerful effort will drink well for at least 7-8 years."

- Jeb Dunnuck (Importer Highlight: Fran Kysela ; July 2024), 95 pts

"Ayni hails from the poor soils of the southern part of Paraje Altamira and is a serious, structured, ageworthy Malbec that needs a little more time for its tannins to soften and integrate. The underlying wine is impressive, with laurel and thyme aromas, lots of chalky intensity and compact damson and black cherry fruit. 2025-35."

- Tim Atkin (Argentina Report 2022), 94 pts

"The 2019 Malbec Ayni comes from Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley and was aged for 12 months in foudres. Unfiltered, this is an austere red of nuance and depth. The nose is very much that of the region with fresh plum, violets and thyme. The potency is tempered by the aging process in favor of subtlety and the addition of whiffs of smoke, tobacco and cedar. Juicy in the mouth with a striking chalky feel, compact flow and mild character, it is a linear wine but maintains Malbec’s smooth, voluminous nature. An elegant interpretation of a region with character. - Joaquín Hidalgo"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2021), 94 pts

"Very perfumed floral nuances scented with some fresh herbaceous notes, slightly tangy mineral nose too. Lovely freshness and chalky tannins, nice follow through and well-textured. Great fruit purity, attractive use of oak."

- Decanter World Wine Awards 2020, 97 pts

 

"Planted on the younger, southern side of Paraje Altamira on poor soils, this is an outstanding Malbec from the richly talented Gabriel Bloise. True to his philosophy of avoiding the use of small new oak barrels, it’s a large foudre-aged red with bright red berry fruit, granular tannins, a hint of anise aniseed and engaging palate length."
- Tim Atkin MW (March 2020), 95 pts

"Love the blackberry, nutmeg, dried-flower, mushroom and graphite aromas that follow through to a full body with chewy tannins and a light, herb and spice hint at the finish. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (April 2nd 2020), 93 pts

"Ayni is a single-vineyard Malbec from Paraje Altamira aged in large foudres for 12 months. Deep purple in the glass. The nose offers herbs, blackberry and blueberry with sour cherry and a hint of stalk. Fragrant, with a firm palate, chalky tannins and mild freshness that energizes the wine in the mouth. The last gasp leaves traces of blackberry. An energetic, nuanced Malbec. - Joaquín Hidalgo"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (October 2020), 92 pts

 

- Wine & Spirits (October 2021), 90 pts

"Ripe black-plum, berry and cassis aromas are topped with appealing oak. This is a fairly tight and fresh style of Malbec, weighing in at only 13% ABV. Black-fruit flavors are aided by toasty oak, while this finishes with hard tannins that stick to the cheeks. Drink through 2026. - MICHAEL SCHACHNER"
- Wine Enthusiast (February 2020), 91 pts

"The single-vineyard 2017 Ayni Malbec comes from paraje Altamira, and the wine was bottled with 13% alcohol and moderate acidity that made it feel soft but not bland, with enough freshness going through its core. Many wines are now matured in large oak containers, and that certainly helps with the integration of the oak with the fruit, as is the case here. The tannins are fine-grained, and the finish is dry and long. 10,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2018. - Luis Gutiérrez"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #245, October 2019), 91 pts

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"(13% alcohol): Bright ruby-red. Inky scents of blackberry, cassis, smoked peppers and chalky minerality. Enters the mouth with a refined texture and restrained sweetness, with its flavors of red and darker berries, salty minerality, pepper and spices conveying a slightly wild quality. I like this Malbec's light touch and inner-mouth verve. Less floral and more peppery and spicy than the Ayni Gravas bottling. Not hugely concentrated but quite savory and easy to drink. Spreads out nicely on the subtle, bone-dry finish, leaving no impression of weight. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (June 2019), 90 pts

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"One of two Ayni Malbec releases in 2015, this is made in a fruitier, more approachable style with understated oak. Balanced, floral and elegant, it’s sappy and appealing, with notes of liquorice and black plums and a long, tangy finish. 2018-23"
- Tim Atkin (Argentina Special Report 2017), 95 pts

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"Bright ruby-red. Sexy scents and flavors of dark berries, mocha, minerals and smoked meat. Concentrated, seamless wine with a captivating restrained sweetness and terrific energy lending shape and definition to the middle palate. Serious fine-grained tannins give this wine the structure for mid-term aging. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (July 2017), 92 pts

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"Savory dark-berry aromas suggest cumin and curry along with dry earth. On the palate, this Paraje Altamira Malbec is quite racy and acidic, such that it's puckery. Lemony acidity sharpens the wine's plum and berry flavors in front of an intense finish that simmers. With so much acidity on display, this will last another 15–20 years. MICHAEL SCHACHNER"
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine (November 2018), 91 pts

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"-- The Fifty Best Holds A Tasting of Malbec Wine --

New York, NY, (August 11, 2016) – The Fifty Best rating the finest in wines and spirits, has for the first time shined its spotlight on Malbec. The Fifty Best recently hosted a tasting where twenty recent release Malbec wines were evaluated for the distinguished “Best Malbec” awards for 2016.

The Fifty Best is very pleased to announce that Maipe 2015 Malbec and Ayni Malbec 2014 were awarded Gold medals.

Using professional criteria, The Fifty Best's panel of judges blind-tasted the wines and rated them individually on a 1-5 point scoring system, with 5 being the best. After tallying the scores, medals were awarded based on the judges' impressions."

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"The 2013 of this top Altamira Malbec was very good indeed, but the 2014 is even better. Aromatic, fine and deftly oaked, it manages to combine density and blackberry fruit weight with freshness, focus and minerality. Edging towards the Uco Valley’s elite group of Malbecs. "
- Tim Atkin (Argentina Special Report 2016), 95 pts

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"Ayni is the top Malbec at Chakana and more than delivers on that status in 2013. It's still a young wine, with lots of gas in the tank, as it were, but this is a classic Uco style with freshness underpinning savoury black fruits, plenty of colour and understated oak. Drink: 2016-22"
- Tim Atkin (Argentina Special Report 2015), 94 pts

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"Suave, rich and well-spiced, offering loads of dark plum, currant and dried blackberry flavors. Molten chocolate notes emerge mid-palate, with Asian spice accents. Presents a long and ripe finish, accented by loamy details. Drink now through 2020. - KM""
- Wine Spectator (Insider, October 29th 2014), 92 pts

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