Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda Clasica 2013

This opaque ruby wine has aromas of freshly picked black cherries, raspberry, plum, rose, and yellow flowers, with hints of mint, dried herbs, and underbrush. The palate has a rich, round mouthfeel and is accompanied by red and black fruit, dark chocolate, and a bit of toast. Not powerful, but well ripened, this wine provides a well-balanced and delicate finish.

100% Bonarda. Produced and bottled by Altos Las Hormigas. In 2000 Alberto Antonini and Attilio Pagli, the winemakers of Bodega Altos Las Hormigas, a Malbec specialist, fortuitously discovered the potential of growing single varietal bonarda in Mendoza. An early hailstorm had moved quickly and violently through the region, naturally pruning the leaf canopy of a nearby bonarda vineyard. The vineyard averted major damage, but the harvest yielded only half the usual crop. Upon assessing the damage, the winemakers found that the remaining grapes had a surprising concentration and structure. The resulting wine was beautiful, with gentle texture and lingering flavors. As Alberto recalls, he knew at that moment that he was stuck on bonarda.