Zaha Malbec
WHY WE LOVE IT
- ZaHa means “Heart” in Mendoza’s native Huarpe language.
- The 90% Malbec fruit is co-fermented with small amounts of 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot for additional complexity and concentration.
- ZaHa – the heart of Paraje Altamira.
Varietal Composition: 90% Malbec, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Elaboration: 100% of Zaha Malbec comes from estate ZaHa (heart) vineyard in San Carlos, Valle de Uco, Mendoza. 17 acres vineyard; 0.9 kilo production per plant; planted 2008.
Planted at a high density of 7000 plants per hectare. This Malbec is a result of co fermentations from the three varieties that compose this wine as well as different soil profiles harvested at different stages. At first, the sandy driven areas are harvested where Malbec and Cabernet Franc get co-fermented. At a second phase the limestone driven stony parcel of the vineyard gets harvested enhancing the mineral profile of this wine. Finally, the grapes from the silty parcel get picked, here Petit Verdot comes into the blend contributing to richness, black fruit aromas and color concentration.
Tasting Notes: A mineral and fresh Malbec. Floral notes and red fruit aromas on the nose are followed by a rich and medium bodied palate that enhances the fruit profile of this wine. Round tannins that add up to a long finish.
PRESS
2017 – 92 James Suckling
2019 – 93 James Suckling | 92+ Wine Advocate | 91 Wine Spectator | 90 Wine Enthusiast
2020 – 91 Vinous
2021 – 92 Vinous
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
In 2010 Alejandro Sejanovich y Jeff Mausbach elaborated their first two wines (Zaha and Teho), driven by their desire to reflect the terroir characteristics of their Toko and Tomal vineyards. Zaha means “heart of the earth” in the native indigenous language of the local Huarpes. That is how Bodega Teho was born, today it counts with a portfolio that gets bigger year after year, thanks to the continuous research into the diverse micro terroirs of Mendoza.