Argentina confirmed its standing as a vinous powerhouse of South America on the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA). The nation elevated its top-tier medal depend (these scoring 95 factors or larger) by virtually two-thirds in comparison with 2024, scooping seven Platinums – two Finest in Present awards amongst them – and 37 Golds. Argentina additionally claimed 195 Silver medals this yr.
Delving into the element reveals compelling tales, resembling that of Criolla. This household of grapes was dropped at the Americas by the Spanish in the course of the conquista and, for the primary time for the reason that DWWA’s inception, a 100% varietal Criolla acquired a Gold medal – Durigutti Household Winemakers, Proyecto Las Compuertas, Criolla Chica, Las Compuertas, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza 2024, created by bothers Héctor and Pablo Durigutti. Judges loved its ‘enchanting fluidity of purple berries, eucalyptus and mint’ and its ‘refreshing acidity, fine-grained tannins and smoky end’.
Criolla varieties as soon as accounted for about 90% of Argentina’s vineyards earlier than they have been sidelined in favour of ‘worldwide’ varieties. Criolla Chica, also called País in Chile, Mission in California and as Listán Prieto in its native Spain and elsewhere, is a pale-skinned purple grape that has been cultivated in Argentina for the reason that seventeenth century.
Plantings of Criolla Chica in Argentina had dwindled to about 360ha by 2018, however this selection, and Criolla grapes typically, appears ripe for a revival. Criolla Chica was granted high quality standing for purple wines by Argentina’s Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura in August 2024.
‘Criolla is a part of our nation’s viticultural historical past’, says Héctor Durigutti. ‘For many years, it was pushed apart by a manufacturing mannequin targeted on quantity and standardisation. Immediately it represents a unprecedented alternative to talk of identification, biodiversity, and resilience.’
Two wines from the Durigutti brothers have been additionally awarded Platinums – each additionally from the Las Compuertas GI of Mendoza within the foothills of the Andes. Durigutti Household Winemakers, Tinto del Pueblo Las Compuertas, Luján de Cuyo 2024 is a mix of 75% Malbec with Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with an ‘abundance of plums, cherries and youthful violets’. Their Proyecto Las Compuertas Malbec 5 Suelos, Luján de Cuyo 2024 is made out of heritage vines planted in 1914.
Héctor explains what the Las Compuertas challenge is all about: ‘Our purpose has at all times been to interpret every place and specific origin with authenticity. The Las Compuertas challenge is an extension of that philosophy, however with a deeper dedication: to protect a singular viticultural heritage and to share it with the world by wines that talk of place, time, and tradition. Immediately, we personal 40ha that mirror the dwelling historical past of Malbec, together with century-old vines planted within the early 1900s. All our vineyards protect historical genetic materials, together with Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Charbono, Cordisco, Marsanne, Semillon and the distinctive Criolla Chica.’
Scroll all the way down to discover Argentina’s top-awarded wines from DWWA 2025
One other story revealed by this yr’s outcomes is the persevering with ‘rise’ of high-altitude vineyards. The 2 Finest in Present wines each got here from the cool, high-altitude Uco Valley zone of Gualtallary. Initially planted for glowing wine again in 1992, Gualtallary is evidently a spot to observe for top-rank reds.
Judges described Finest in Present winner Bemberg Property Wines, Pionero, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza 2022, the vineyard’s flagship, as ‘highly effective and agency with nurturing acidity and a construction constructed for the lengthy haul’.
Daniel Pi, Winemaking Director at Bemberg Property Wines, says ‘Pionero was crafted as a tribute to Otto Bemberg, the household patriarch who got here to Argentina from Germany within the mid-1800s. The thought behind the wine is to interpret the wine that Otto was most likely ingesting in these days … At that pre-phylloxera second, Malbec was an essential mixing element within the purple wines from the Proper Financial institution, so we crafted a wine in accordance with our humble interpretation: a Malbec-based mix with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc to assist the construction and longevity.’ The wine was aged in new 300-litre French oak barrels in addition to concrete vats and oak foudres ‘to protect the fruit character’.
Argentina’s different Finest in Present was awarded to Bodega Rutini, Single Winery Malbec, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza 2021 – a 100% Malbec with ‘head-turning’ fruit that judges described as ‘a slalom run wherein the candy cherries and berries of the aroma are joined by barely sourer, wilder fruits like elder and sloe’.
Regional Chair for Argentina Paz Levinson stated, ‘Uco Valley on the whole carried out extraordinarily nicely’, mentioning that Gualtallary ‘overperformed’, claiming six Golds. What makes the wines from this zone stand out? Daniel Pi says, ‘Our property is positioned on the coronary heart of Gualtallary, at virtually 1,300m above sea stage. Altitude is without doubt one of the drivers of the character of the realm, positioned on the foothill of the primary Andes, however there are different areas in Argentina with the identical or larger altitude, however with out the tremendous expression of Gualtallary.’
Levinson famous attribute aromas within the wines from the area. ‘In Gualtallary and the Tupungato space, the aromas have a natural element. When Malbec has this natural element, it actually shines. And they’re very simple to make with out oak, or utilizing lighter oak, as a result of they’ve the ability and the tannins and the focus, without having to mature in oak for a lot of months, or having to make use of new oak’.
This transfer away from oak-ageing, notably for Malbec, is one other essential development that Levinson singled out from this yr’s outcomes. ‘Of the 37 Argentinian wines awarded Gold or Platinum, 15 of them had no oak ageing; they have been made utilizing concrete or chrome steel, or they’d no oak maturation – so that could be a development we’re seeing, not only for on a regular basis wines however for extra “severe” wines.’
At Durigutti Household Estates, Héctor Durigutti makes use of a spread of vessels for vinification. ‘Our purpose is for every wine to specific the winery – not the winemaker,’ he says. ‘Within the vineyard we use various supplies – uncoated concrete, massive oak foudres, ceramic vessels and seasoned barrels, at all times searching for fruit purity and class and an trustworthy studying of the terroir.’
Worth was one other key story for Argentina this yr. Of the 37 Golds for Argentina, eight counted as Worth Golds, together with two that figured within the Prime 30 Worth Golds checklist – Domaine Bousquet, Finca Lalande Natural Malbec, Tupungato, Mendoza 2024; and Santa Julia, Household Reserve Malbec, Mendoza 2024. ‘
‘Argentinian wines usually are not the most affordable and never the most costly, however they’ve an excellent high quality/worth relation,’ Levinson confirms. For high quality, selection, winemaking nous and sheer ‘interestingness’ – in addition to for worth – this South American powerhouse appears set to proceed to excite.
DWWA 2025: Argentina’s high winners to attempt
Bemberg Property Wines, Pionero, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza 2022
Finest in Present, 97 factors
What a narrative Gualtallary is telling us all. As we identified final yr, this high-altitude zone of the Uco valley was initially planted in 1992 for glowing wine, and was thought (again then) to be far too cool for reds. Quick ahead 33 years, and it’s starting to appear like one of many absolute best of all Southern Hemisphere areas for deep, perfumed, structured purple wines. May it will definitely show a South American challenger to Napa? In three or 4 many years, we’ll know. It first appeared in our Finest in Present choice in 2022; three quick years later, we’re as much as 5 appearances, together with each of this yr’s Argentinian winners. This wine is a mix slightly than a pure Malbec: Cabernet Sauvignon offers 36 per cent with the ten per cent steadiness from Cabernet Franc. It’s midnight black in color, with ample refined fragrant heat and a way of fine-wine layering to the aromas, too. On the palate, the wine is rich and ample however not within the least heavy or clumsy, and it stays profoundly fragrant with a creamy blackcurrant carry. The tannins are sleek and fine-grained, and the fruit subsides in a flourish of resonant, cool-toned, swishly bitter-edged acidity. Nearly the acidity of darkish chocolate – however not fairly, and no cocoa both: pure fruit to the fore all the way in which. Alcohol 14.5%
Rutini, Single Winery Malbec, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza 2021
Finest in Present, 97 factors
Our second Gualtallary purple this yr is a pure Malbec from the cool 2021 classic. It, too, is a really darkish black-purple in color, with disarmingly pure blackcurrant, black cherry and blackberry fruits simply smoothed however not dominated by oak. That oak, in contrast, is barely seen on the palate in any respect, so dominant and head-turning is the fruit: a slalom run wherein the candy cherries and berries of the aroma are joined by barely sourer, wilder fruits like elder and sloe. As that nuance suggests, the acidity is ample, ripe and supportive, working with the fine-milled tannins to maintain the fruit well-trimmed and enduring. It’s 4 years previous at current and nonetheless an toddler, a lot lies forward: this may make a grand dinner-time bottle at any level over the subsequent ten years. Alc 14%
Bemberg Property Wines, La Linterna El Tomillo Property Chardonnay, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza 2023
Platinum, 97 factors
A outstanding complexity of honeyed blossom, juicy mandarin and toasted hazelnuts which flutter and float over the elegant construction. Critical and classy with an agile acidity and delicate flinty notice which flows by to the top. Alc 13.5%
Bemberg Property Wines, Pionero, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza 2021
Platinum, 97 factors
A mesmerising mix of ripe blackberries, blueberry pie and plum compote enmeshed in cocoa powder tannins and a lip-smacking leathery texture. Highly effective and agency with nurturing acidity and a construction constructed for the lengthy haul. Alc 14.5%
Durigutti Household Winemakers, Proyecto Las Compuertas Malbec 5 Suelos, Las Compuertas, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza 2024
Platinum, 97 factors
Multitudes of cherries, blackberries, plums and blueberries entangled in a lavish sage and lavender perfume. Silky easy and finely textured with svelte tannins while retaining a vigour and verve which flows unswervingly to the end line. Alc 13%
Durigutti Household Winemakers, Tinto Del Pueblo Las Compuertas, Las Compuertas, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza 2024
Platinum, 97 factors
An all-encompassing, tantalising show of abundance: plums, cherries and youthful violets with a vivid black olive and graphite savoury vitality. Velvety and voluptuous with gossamer tannins and a salivating acidity resulting in a moreish earthy end. Alc 13.5%
Etchart, Single Winery Malbec, Cafayate, Salta 2024
Platinum, 97 factors
Archetypal high-altitude Malbec exuding all of the traditional hallmarks: plums, blackberries and cherries underpinned by a full of life natural core. Snappy and energising, a spicy balsamic character saunters over the palate and conjoins with a stony mineral notice to finish. Alc 14%
Finca Flichman, Microterroir Gravel & Stone Malbec, Tupungato, Mendoza 2021
Platinum, 97 factors
Incomparable splendour and class emanates with layer upon layer of violets, blueberries, liquorice and darkish chocolate which infuse with the rapturous tannins and bracing beam of acidity. Ample and mouth-filling with a refined mineral size. Alc 14%
Zuccardi, Regiones Cabernet Franc, Altamira, San Carlos, Mendoza 2023
Platinum, 97 factors
Thrillingly recent cherry and blueberry fruit garnished with a tasty mountain herb perfume which undulates over the nervy seam of acidity and stylish concord of tannins. A pleasure to savour, solely enhancing sip by sip. Alc 14%
