Malbec is the undisputed king in Argentina. Known for its bold fruit and chocolatey notes, this grape revels in the high altitudes of the Mendoza region. Some of the highest elevation vineyards in the country can be found in the Uco Valley, home of High Note.
With five vineyards ranged across the valley—Gualtallary, Vista Flores, Las Consulta, Altamira, and Eugenio Bustos—High Note sources selections from each to bring their unique aspects—floral notes, spice, ripe fruit, weight, acidity—to the finished product.
A brand of the famed Catena winery, High Note is part of a highly regarded family winemaking tradition. Longtime Catena winemaker Leopoldo Kuschnaroff has been at the helm of High Note since 2013. He directs the winemaking process at their new state-of-the-art facility, Vista del Sur, nestled in the Andes foothills of the Uco Valley.
His experimentation with the microclimates of each vineyard and modern winemaking equipment—they use “tronco-conic” steel tanks to improve maceration—has yielded Malbec-based wines with a delicious concentration and velvety texture.
Along with Malbec, the vineyards produce other Bordeaux grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Syrah. They also grow Bonarda, a plummy, spicy red found only in Argentina and Italy, which partners beautifully with Malbec.
The evocative and eye-catching High Note labels synthesize the swirl of the Atlantic breeze, the regional flora and fauna, and the passion of Argentinian national dance, the tango.
The High Note Malbec offers aromas of blackberry and black cherry with hints of spice and violets. The plum-rich palate accedes to a soft vanilla finish with round tannins. This Malbec (which also has 7% Syrah and 3% Cabernet Franc) is aged in 70% French and 30% American oak barrels.
The Red Blend (50% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, and 10% Bonarda) offers the best aspects from High Note’s Uco Valley vineyards. An intense blackberry nose laced with spice and blueberry leads to delicate chocolate and vanilla flavors. Barrel aging in a blend of French and American Oak provides further complexity.
James Suckling and Wine Advocate have consistently scored High Note’s wines 90+.