Las Compuertas wine region is one of the most distinctive in Lujan de Cuyo, particularly notable for its cooler microclimate and higher altitude within this region of Mendoza, Argentina. Making excellent Malbec wines in particular, here is the ultimate guide to the wines and producers of Las Compuertas.

Guide to Las Compuertas

Notable producers in Las Compuertas

Quick guide to Las Compuertas

Best wines to try from Las Compuertas

Map of Luján de Cuyo

 

 

Guide to Las Compuertas GI & wine region

Pegged against the foothills on the western edge of Luján de Cuyo, Las Compuertas is one of its highest-elevation sub-regions and its vineyards are often on a slight incline. The higher altitude and stronger mountain influence due to its proximity to the foothills mean that nights in Las Compuertas are cooler than those in areas further east, but the days are also hotter. One of the greatest benefits of Las Compuertas is that, being the closest to the mountains, it is the first region in Luján to receive water from the acequias and so Las Compuertas (which translates as floodgates in English) gets a more abundant water supply than other regions.

The vineyards are planted on ancient river terraces and the region’s proximity to the mountains means that it has much bigger stones and mixed soils that the rivers transported down from the Andes over time. The soils are a big mix of clay, sand, pebbles, calcareous material (caliche) and big rolling stones, which is why many producers identify small plots within their vineyard by soil type and stagger the harvest accordingly.

There are only 400 or so hectares left in Las Compuertas, as housing pressure has made land here very expensive. Those that do remain are notable for their age and quality, and their 100-year-old vines often produce some of the best wines in Luján — not only Malbec but field blends too.

 

Notable producers in Las Compuertas

DURIGUTTI (Proyecto Las Compuertas)

Forward-thinking family winery with a wide portfolio. Proyecto Las Compuertas is my favourite collection for its elegant expressions of this sub-region

LAMADRID

Lamadrid winery has an impressive portfolio of single varietal wines with particularly good Bonarda and Cabernet Franc

CHEVAL DES ANDES

Château Cheval Blanc is a partner in this luxurious project releasing just one wine: an iconic old-vine blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon from Las Compuertas and Altamira

 

Quick Guide to Las Compuertas GI 

Hectares planted in Las Compuertas

426 hectares

Altitude of vineyards

Ranging from 950 to 1,080 m.a.s.l.

Soils in Las Compuertas

Big mix of clay, sand, pebbles, calcareous material (caliche) and big rolling stones

Style of the wines

Characterful wines with freshness and finesse

 

 

Terroir Selection: Best wines to try from Las Compuertas GI

Las Compuertas is one of Lujan de Cuyo’s top terroirs, in my opinion, for characterful wines with freshness and finesse. In fact, I think it is the most elegant appellation in Luján de Cuyo.

CHEVAL DES ANDES, Cheval des Andes

Las Compuertas GI / $$$$ / Drinking window < 20 years

One of the original icons of Luján, the core of this blend comes from Cheval’s century-old vines in Las Compuertas blended with grapes from La Consulta in the Uco Valley. It is unashamedly complex and brooding, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot adding spice and cedar to this age-worthy Malbec blend.

DURIGUTTI, Proyecto Las Compuertas Malbec 1914

Las Compuertas GI. $$. Drinking window <15 years

Taken from ungrafted vines planted in 1914, this is part of the mission of brothers Héctor and Pablo to restore value to the old vines of Las Compuertas. This Malbec is a triumph: aromatic notes of dried cranberries, black raspberries and pink peppercorns lure you on the nose, and the glass finishes with finesse, freshness and tension.

TERRAZAS DE LOS ANDES, Parcel N 10W Los Cerezos Malbec

Las Compuertas GI. $$$. Drinking window <20 years

One of the original French investors in the region, Moët-Hennessy knew they had struck gold when they bought a vineyard with old vines dating back to 1929. This Malbec from a particularly rocky plot produces a deep, intense and perfumed wine with notes of ripe plums, cedar and violets. Polished, smooth and utterly delicious.

ALTA VISTA, Single Vineyard Alzarine Malbec

Las Compuertas GI. $$. Drinking window <20 years

Founded by the Count d’Aulan in 1998, Alta Vista has rather noble stature in Mendoza, firstly because it is the official French consulate and secondly as it has produced premium single-vineyard Malbecs since 2001. Alizarine comes from a 1927 vineyard and expresses intense dark berry, exotic spice and cacao aromas. Rich, yet silky — a noble wine indeed.

LUIGI BOSCA, Icono

Las Compuertas GI. $$$$. Drinking window <20 years

One of the early top wines from the region, Icono is an old school classic from Las Compuertas: opulent and rich with dense and intense layers of ripe plums, coffee and leather. This is a big, intense Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon blend for those who like their wines with steak. 

DURIGUTTI, Proyecto Las Compuertas Cabernet Franc

Las Compuertas GI. $$. Drinking window <10 years

This peppery Cabernet Franc shows all the freshness of Las Compuertas with its elegant, juicy and aromatic style. Filled with bright red fruit, pink pepper and exotic flowers, it is a lively, crunchy wine that sings of the cool mountain breeze and clear water.

LUIGI BOSCA, Riesling

Las Compuertas GI. $. Drinking window <10 years

This Riesling made with grapes from 60-year-old vines in Luigi Bosca’s Los Nobles vineyard showcases the white wine potential of this cool sub-region. This light-bodied, spritzy style of Riesling with notes of green apples, white peaches and chamomile is an anomaly in Argentina.

 

 

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