2015 Terrazas de Los Andes Malbec Las Compuertas, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza

Ripe, chunky black-fruit aromas are swathed in minty oak and vanilla, while accents of black olive and prune are part of the nose. A round, full palate is enlivened by tartaric kick before going quiet, while ripe berry, prune and cassis flavors finish flat and dense.

92 points wineenthusiast.com

The 2015 Terrazas de los Andes Malbec Las Compuertas is a beautifully expressive and terroir driven Argentine Malbec, drawn from one of the oldest and most revered vineyard zones in Mendoza. Las Compuertas lies in Luján de Cuyo at around 1000 metres above sea level, where ancient vines grow in deep alluvial soils laced with stones and limestone. These old vineyards deliver Malbec with both richness and remarkable freshness, a signature of this historic subregion.

Terrazas de los Andes has been a pioneer of high altitude viticulture in Argentina, focusing on matching varieties to the best sites across the Andes foothills. Las Compuertas is one of their crown jewels, with many vines planted decades ago, producing naturally low yields of concentrated, expressive fruit. The 2015 vintage brought warm days and cool nights, giving wines of depth, perfume and fine structure.

In the glass, the wine shows dark plum, blackberry and black cherry, lifted by violets, cocoa and subtle spice. There is also a faint herbal and mineral note that reflects the stony soils. The palate is rich yet finely balanced, with ripe, silky tannins and bright acidity carrying the flavours through a long, savoury finish.

This is a wonderful wine for the table. Grilled beef, lamb, slow cooked meats, rich vegetable dishes or aged cheeses all highlight its depth and elegance.

The 2015 Terrazas de los Andes Malbec Las Compuertas is drinking beautifully now, but it will continue to evolve over another ten to fifteen years, gaining more savoury and earthy complexity as it ages. It is a classic expression of Luján de Cuyo Malbec and a great example of how old vines and high altitude can create both power and finesse.