Mendoza has become a household name for even non wine afficianados, but no one knows the sub districts off hand unless you have travelled to the land closer to Santiago Chile then Buenos Aires and the rest of Argentina. Of all the sub districts in Mendoza, the Uco Valley is has the highest elevation and the most prestige. Wineries are still filling out the desolate mountain ranges and are planting mostly Malbec for the world's pleasure. The higher elevation means the skins and roots of the grape plants have to struggle more and develop thick skins and stalks that add to the complexity of the grape juice. The color is as dark as any wine in the world and has a flavor profile similar to Australia's fruit bomb Syrah, just with out the sugar. The Uco Valley reminds me that Malbec, like Petit Verdot, originated as a grape used for color in BOrdeaux and thirves in high altitude. Argentina Malbec's are great, but the Uco Valley brings out the best.