A great wine appeals to a great moment shared with the ones we love. While Europe took the lead in many wine catalogues, other parts of the world developed exceptional know-how and proposed great wines. Discover here Terrazas de Los Andes and its fabulous Malbec Reserva 2019. Argentina earned its golden letters at the table of qualitative wine producers, and Terrazas de Los Andes is definitely a star. It was founded in 1996 as a Moët-Hennessy subsidiary in Argentina, refurbishing an old winery built in 1898. It has eight vineyards planted on terraces at various altitudes on the eastern foothills of the Andes, between 980m and 1250 above sea level. Each grape variety is grown at a specific altitude, matching a specific climatic condition for optimal growing and ripening. Precision viticulture techniques (such as soil analysis and electro-conductivity mapping) have been implemented in recent years to boost the quality and performance of the grapes varieties.
Terrazas de Los Andes primarily produces Malbec wines and Cabernet-Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Torrontés, located in Cafayate (Salta province). Two vineyards – planted in 1929 and 1945, the oldest among the entire estate – are dedicated to the production of limited edition “Single Vineyard” and “Parcels” Malbec.
Malbec Reserva 2019, an exceptional wine
This red wine has an intense ruby-red colour. It is complex and varied on the nose, with aromas of cherry, plum, violet, and soft toasted oak notes. In the mouth, a mild attack turns into a full-bodied mid-palate, supported by smooth and round tannins, followed by a juicy finish reminiscent of red and black fruits, all in freshness.
Malbec, which thrives in the unique natural conditions of the Andes, has become the embodiment of Argentine identity: its vines have never been uprooted in its 90-year history, which is reflected today in its aromas. It embodies generosity and intensity while offering various expressions and quality tannins. Malbec wines are particularly appreciated for their suppleness and their feeling of fullness in the mouth. Malbecs from the Uco Valley is characterized by great aromatic freshness with mineral notes of red and black fruits. They present a balanced acidity and an optimal concentration of polyphenols on the palate. The wines of Lujan de Cuyo reach a slightly higher edge than the previous year and a higher concentration.
Terrazas de Los Andes, A great heritage and know-how
The vineyards that form this wine, located in the heart of Lujan de Cuyo de Mendoza and the Uco Valley, are surrounded by high peaks. It is a blend of more than 100 plots from six vineyards belonging to the estate. The altitudes here range from 1,070 to 1,250 meters above sea level: the altitude climate, with its low rainfall, rocky soils and lack of organic elements in the soil, forces the vines to struggle to get the water and nutrients it needs to grow. For this reason, the grapes have vibrant and intense aromas. The altitude ensures warm, sunny days that allow the grapes to flourish, followed by cold nights that slow down their maturation, limiting the wine’s acidity.
Hervé Birnie-Scott is a French agronomist and oenologist from the Loire Valley. He was only 25 when he went to Argentina. He had already gained considerable experience in wine regions such as France’s Sancerre, Australia’s Victoria and the northern California coast. As an expert in winemaking in cool climates, the heights of the Andes had attracted him, and he began to analyze the region’s soils carefully. Four years after finishing his studies, he met the chief oenologist of Moët & Chandon, who was also interested in this wine region. Together they founded the Terrazas de Los Andes estate, and three years later, they created the first Malbec Reserva.
“The history and legacy of Terrazas de Los Andes originated three decades ago, when we began processing Argentinian grapes to have the place they deserve on the world wine map. Founded by pioneers, adopted by natives and created by the Andes, our vineyard deserves, by its authenticity, to be recognized as the place of origin of great wines“.
Hervé Birnie-Scott
Over the past 26 years, the Terrazas de Los Andes vineyard has grown to 537 hectares, spread over 220 plots and ten vineyards. Like its wines, the estate has been deeply rooted in its environment since its creation in 1996, whether it is the soils on which the vines grow or the local community to which the company belongs. Maintaining a fragile ecological balance and contributing to the well-being of local populations have been absolute priorities since its creation.
- Water consumption: 90% of the vineyards are drip irrigated, with water consumption efficiency being the top priority and nothing being wasted.
- Wastewater: 100% of wastewater is reused for agricultural purposes.
- Energy: 60 m2 of solar panels have reduced CO2 emissions by 50%.
- Recycling: cardboard, plastics, glass and organic materials are recycled.
- Technology: Terrazas de Los Andes is the first South American winery to use a mechanical weeder that reduces pesticide use by up to 80%.
- Label: the vineyard has obtained ISO 14001 certification for its environmental integrity.
If you like great wines, you will be conquered by this exceptional Malbec Reserva 2019. You can find this wine in specialized shops. You can find it here in Switzerland: Flaschenpost.ch, Drinks.ch et Zweifel Weine.
José Amorim
Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.
