Vineyard altitudes are the most talked-about feature in Mendoza, with good reason: At 1,100+ meters, the vines at Siete Fincas are exposed to intense luminosity, which facilitates ripening, but also dramatic drops in temperature at night, which helps to slow maturation of grapes and preserve freshness and balance. The combination of altitude, a dry climate, and sandy soil also helps with disease resistance, whether it’s mold or the vine louse phylloxera, which has never been able to establish a foothold here.

The Andes Mountains to the west create a “rain shadow” effect, protecting vineyards from extreme weather, but this is mitigated by the many snowmelt rivers the flow down from the mountains, providing plenty of water for irrigation. No wonder more than 70% of Argentina’s wine production is concentrated here—they’ve got it all!

Siete Fincas is a family-run winery created by Edgardo Stallocca in 2000 to continue the viticultural tradition his grandfather, Juan Stallocca, began in Mendoza in 1904. The family sources fruit from estate vineyards in the Luján de Cuyo, Maipú and Uco Valley sub-districts, crafting this Malbec in a nicely balanced style. The wine is aged 12 months in a mixture of new and used French oak barrels, followed by 12 months in bottle before release.

What appealed to us most about this wine was its balance: It is not as dense and chunky as most Mendoza Malbec, nor does it have the excess of drying wood tannins so many of these wines have. The nose showcases black plum, black raspberry, fig, and hints of blueberry, along with soft flowers, savory mushroom, baking spice, dried violet, damp forest, crushed stone, and white pepper. The palate confirms this isn’t an inked-up, juicy fruit bomb, thanks to the high-altitude provenance. Although nearing full-bodied, it has a wonderful level of acidity that tames the black and blue fruits. It is an immense pleasure to consume now, but will keep will over the next few years. Pop and pour after a quick 15-minute decant and drink around 60-65 degrees in Bordeaux stems. For pairing, choose a tender cut of beef and follow this recipe to create an authentic Argentine dish.