Terrazas de los Andes with Winemaker Roberto de la Mota

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Tasted Thursday, August 4, 2005 by cousteau with 836 views

Introduction

Winemaker Roberto de La Mota presented his Terrazas de los andes reserve wines, the premium Afincado Malbec and the Cheval de Los Andes made in a joint venture with Chateau Cheval Blanc.

Flight 1 (6 Notes)

  • 2004 Terrazas de Los Andes Chardonnay Reserva 87 Points

    Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, Tupungato

    The chardonnay is cultivated at the highest terraza, at 1200m. It´s also the highest temp. amplitude (15-17C).
    At this sandy, shallow soil the vines can hold on the grapes an extra 30 days than usual harvesting due to the high temp. amplitude the altitude provides.
    It´s light yellow, clear and bright color. Peaches, apricot and honey on the nose. The oak comes second but it´s quite present, a little vanilla and toasted notes. Medium body and a little fat on the mide palate, for me it lacks more acidity. The winemaker revealed it was fermented 100% on new french oak barrels, and laid down 6 to 8 months on the barrels too.

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  • 2003 Terrazas de Los Andes Malbec Reserva 89 Points

    Argentina, Mendoza

    Dark red and purple color, stains heavily the glass. Plums, violets, typical malbec nose. Lot´s of fruit all over, same on the palate. Very good balance, rounded, very fine tannins. Easy drinking, sweet fruity finish.

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  • 2003 Terrazas de Los Andes Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Perdriel 88 Points

    Argentina, Mendoza

    The cab is cultivated a little lower (980m) as this variety cycle is longer. The temp. amplitude a little lower too (12-14C).
    It´s dark rubi red. Black and dark red ripe fruit, cassis too. Cheewy tannins, lot´s of them, they are fine but not great. Full bodied, not very complex I shoul add, it´s all about fruit everywhere.

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  • 2003 Terrazas de Los Andes Syrah Reserva Cruz de Piedra 88 Points

    Argentina, Mendoza

    The Syrah is cultivated further down than the cab and is exposed to a lower temp.amplitude (10-11C).
    Very dark purple color. Very intense and complex nose, the richest of the three reservas. Lot´s of ripe fruit, floral notes and comples spices too. Full bodied. The tannins are a little rough, they leave a slight bitterness on the palate, not so nice finish on this one.

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  • 2002 Terrazas de Los Andes Malbec Afincado 91 Points

    Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo

    At 1067m the malbec grapes are grown with a tem. amplitude of 13-15C. The winemaker reveals the goal is too obtain max concentration and aromatic expression.
    It´s very dark rubi with purple nuances on the rim. Very intense ripe fruit on the nose, seductive floral notes, very typical malbec, plums, violets, alcacuz. On the palate it´s huge concentration, silky tannins, round and sweet. Great structure, full bodied and a long, lingering finish.

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  • 2002 Cheval des Andes 92 Points

    Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, Vistalba

    Chateau Cheval Blanc and Bodega Terrazas de Los Andes partnership. The 2002 Cheval des andes is 56% cab, 40% malbec and 4% petit verdot.
    Very dark, deep rubi purple color. Complex on the nose, at first you sense the malbec fruit exploding, right after some more complex tobacco and chocolate notes find their way out. It´s still tight and closed, this has years ahead of it. Very elegant, sliky tannins. Lot´s of fruit and the same sweet fruity finish from the malbec. Has to wait in the cellar.

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Closing

All wines reflect perfectly the modern argentine winemaking. Lot´s of extraction, intense concentration, it´s all about fruit.

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