Argentina emerged as the best-performing South American country when the winners of the recently concluded Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) were published on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. This followed an adjudication process which began in April earlier this year and saw a record 18,250 wine entries from 57 countries as the event, which was held in London, celebrated its 20th year. When the winners were announced, Argentine vintners were among the global top 50 wines of the year as Malbec ruled the roost with two best in show placings, each of which scored 97 points. In fact, Argentina matched its best-ever gold performance from last year with 24 wines awarded medals in this category, in addition to achieving four platinum medals.

Assuredly the largest global wine competition, DWWA is often referred to as the Olympics of the wine world. The competition’s collegiate three-stage judging process is recognised by leading wine experts internationally for its credibility, with many taking part in the judging process first-hand. This year’s competition saw an influential ensemble of 236 wine experts, including 53 masters of wine and 16 master sommeliers, come together from 30 countries with the singular goal of providing consumers and trade merchants with a trustworthy guide to the dynamic world of wine. At the completion of multiple rounds of tastings and judging, 50 best in show, 125 platinum, 705 gold, 5,604 silver and 8,165 bronze medals were awarded across all categories.

The coveted best in show medal is a process by which all platinum medal winners, the competition’s best wines, are retasted for a fourth time to determine the truly best of the best vintages. Wines featured in this section are always judged blind and comprise only those that received a 97-point score during the competition’s three previous stages of adjudication. This, like the Olympics, is the most competitive of finals for which there are only 50 spots available from among 125 platinum awardees, ie, less than 50 per cent will make the cut. In securing two of the coveted placings, Argentina continues to be South America’s leading wine producer with its flagship Malbec reigning supreme.

Today Thursday Food introduces you to one of Argentina’s 2023 DWWA Best In Show medallists along with other medal-winning wines from the same bodega:

Terrazas De Los Andes, Origen Los Chacayes Malbec 2021 is a 100 per cent varietal wine that is produced in the Uco Valley region of Mendoza by Terrazas De Los Andes. It scored 97 points at the 2023 DWWA, earning a platinum medal, and ended the competition as one of two best in show winners for Argentina. The wine, which has a 14.1 per cent alcoholic volume, is deep red in colour with purple flashes. On the nose, it exhibits aromas of intense fruity florals where blackberries and currants stand out, combined with spicy notes and aromatic herbs that reflect the freshness of the altitude. In the mouth, it has a wide entry that is distinguished by a sensation of very lasting fruit and its round and ripe tannins. In the finish, it is long, concentrated and persistent on the palate.

Terrazas De Los Andes, Origen Las Compuertas Malbec 2021 is a 100 per cent Malbec wine that is produced in the Lujan de Cuyo region of Mendoza also by Terrazas De Los Andes. This wine, which has a 14.4 per cent alcoholic volume, scored 97 points at the 2023 DWWA earning a platinum medal. It expresses beautiful, fresh aromas of dried herbs, with notes of lifted violets and crunchy blackberries on the nose. On the palate, it shows tension and is very juicy, having well-resolved textural tannins then ending in a very intense and long finish.

Terrazas De Los Andes, Origen Blend 2021, which comprises 80 per cent Malbec, 20 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon and has a 14 per cent alcoholic volume, is produced from vineyards located at 1100 metres above sea level in the Paraje Altamira area of Mendoza. Winner of a gold medal and scoring 95 points at the 2023 DWWA, this red blend has an intense floral and fruity expression on the nose. Aromas of blackberries and currants stand out, combined with spicy notes and aromatic herbs that reflect the freshness of the altitude. On the palate it is long, concentrated and persistent with a wide entrance, distinguished by a very lasting sensation of fruit and its round, ripe tannins.

Terrazas De Los Andes Grand Chardonnay scored a total of 91 points and earned for itself a silver medal at the 2023 DWWA. The wine, which has a 13.8 per cent alcoholic volume, is produced from vineyards in the Gulatallary area of Tupungato, Mendoza and is a 100 per cent varietal wine. On the nose it reveals elegant notes of white and citrus fruit with aromas of mountain herbs such as thyme and jarilla, which add complexity, along with the well-integrated oak adding subtle notes of vanilla and caramel. Its surprising acidity makes it long on the palate and confirms its citric profile, while the smoothness, from its aging on lees, and the sugariness vibrate on the palate long after having tasted it.

Terrazas De Los Andes, Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100 per cent varietal wine that scored 87 points at the DWWA and won for itself a bronze medal. The wine is produced from a combination of grapes taken from three vineyards located in the Uco Valley and Lujan de Cuyo regions of Mendoza. On the nose there are fresh aromas of red and black fruits, such as red currants and blueberries, balanced with spicy notes of thyme, rosemary and cardamom, leading to a delicious finish of hazelnut cream, vanilla and caramel. In the mouth, its balanced acidity and fruity flavour offer a juicy first mouthfeel, rounded off with red currant flavours along with sweet, complex and vibrant tannins.

Next week, Thursday Food will feature the 2nd best in show winner from Argentina along with the medal-winning wines from the same winery. Salud!