2018 Las Perdices Reserva Malbec

In the early 1950s, Don Juan Munoz-Lopez arrived from Andalucia to cultivate vines in Argentina.  He settled in the village of Agrelo, part of Luján de Cuyo, in the western foothills of the Andes mountains, about 20 miles south of the city of Mendoza, home to some of the best viticultural land in Argentina.  In 2004, his sons decided to build a winery, Las Perdices,  in the heart of their vineyards in Agrelo where they grew up.  Vineyards here are over 1000m above sea level and at this height, sunlight is more intense, so grapes have hot sun during the day to help them ripen followed by much cooler nights due to cold alpine winds that sweep down the western side of the perpetually snow-capped Andes. It is this diurnal temperature variation that extends the ripening period and brings balancing crisp acidity and complex flavours to the wines that are made here.

Malbec is the signature grape of Argentina with huge volumes of full-flavoured, fruity reds being produced right across the country.  Luján de Cuyo is the spiritual home of the best Malbecs however, the altitude enabling balanced red wines with juicy sweetness, complexity of flavours and freshness.  Las Perdices Reserva Malbec is a great example.  Complex and perfumy on the nose – notes of blackberry, plum, pipe tobacco, blueberry, smoke, and soy sauce.  On the palate, it is elegant with fine tannins.  Well balanced with blackberry, leather, tobacco flavours and a finish of dark chocolate.