The Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) is one of the most prestigious and globally recognised wine competitions, celebrating excellence and diversity in the world of wine. Each year, wine producers from around the world eagerly participate, enduring the rigorous tasting and assessment rounds administered by global experts, as they seek recognition for their exceptional wines. At the recently held 2023 event in London, on Wednesday, June 23, 2023, Argentina’s wineries amassed a plethora of medals in every colour, including the most coveted of them all: Best In Show. Last week in Thursday Food, we introduced the first of two awardees in this sought-after category, Terrazas De Los Andes, which won a total of 14 medals at the event. Today, we will feature the medal winners from Durigutti Wines, as we learn more about this outstanding Argentine wine producer from Mendoza.

Argentina has undergone a remarkable wine renaissance in recent years, propelled by its favourable climate, diverse terroir, and highly proficient vintners. The DWWA 2023 showcased the best of Argentina’s winemaking prowess, highlighting the remarkable quality and diversity of its wines. Thousands of wines were submitted for judging, with an esteemed panel of wine experts evaluating each entry through blind tastings. The rigours of this judging process ensures that the selected winners are true representations of excellence in winemaking. Winemakers from the country stood out for their exceptional performance with Argentine wines consistently garnering high scores and accolades, a clear demonstration of the country’s commitment to producing wines of world-class quality.

This was quite evident in its medal haul that, in addition to two Best In Show wins from amongst its four platinum medals, also included 260 bronze, 227 silver and 24 gold for a total of 515 medals. Argentina’s flagship grape, Malbec, continues to be the country’s standard-bearer on the world stage with many vintages receiving prestigious awards across different categories. These wine entries captivated the competition’s judges with their velvety textures, ripe dark fruit profiles, and well-integrated tannins. Beyond Malbec, however, Argentina’s other exceptional grape varieties also came into sharp focus with the likes of Cabernets Franc & Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Criolla, Pinot Grigio, Semillon, Shiraz, Torrontes and Viognier also winning medals. The diverse range of grapes that constituted the country’s contingent showcased their potential in the competition, further solidifying Argentina’s status as a multifaceted wine-producing nation.

Thursday Food puts the spotlight on the medal-winning entries from Durigutti Wines beginning with their Proyecto Las Compuertas line, named after the Las Compuertas, Lujan De Cuyo, where the vines are located. Founded in 2007 as an old, five-hectare Malbec vineyard, it has grown to 40 hectares and includes a number of award-winning wines from a variety of grapes. Finca Victoria, named after the mother of its founders, has seen its vineyards expand to include, in addition to Malbec, grape varieties such Bonarda, Cordisco as well as Criolla, among others.

Proyecto Las Compuertas Criolla Gobelet, which is made from 100 per cent Criolla Chica, earned a silver medal at the 2023 DWWA with a score of 92 points. Thursday Food previously featured this particular red wine back in December last year. Produced at Finca Victoria, from vineyards that were planted in 2015 and are located 1,050 metres above sea level, this vintage comprises grapes that were harvested in March 2021. It has an aroma that is elegant, fresh and floral, with notes of jasmine and pink grapefruit. In the mouth, the wine has marked acidity, silky tannins and a finish that is both citrusy and delicate.

Proyecto Las Compuertas 5 Suelos Malbec is a 100 per cent Malbec that scored 95 points at the 2023 DWWA, earning a gold medal for its producers Durigutti Wines. It is produced from vineyards first planted in 1914 and comprises grapes taken from five different plots of the vineyard, classified according to their solid profile. Each wine is made separately in cement eggs and then the final cut is produced. The resulting wine has a depth of colour and presents pure, floral and intense aromas on the nose. These include hints of violets and brambles along with crisp juicy blackberry fruit, while on the palate it expresses a spicy acidity and a long, tempting finish.

Durigutti Pie de Monte Malbec won a platinum medal, after earning a 97-point score, on its way to topping the competition with a ‘Best In Show’ placing when the awards were handed out. Made from 100 per cent Malbec grapes grown at the bodega’s Finca Ruano vineyards in Vistalba, Luján De Cuyo, the wine’s placing secured a second spot for Argentina among the top 50 wines of the year. Located at 1,020 metres above sea level, the vineyard was first planted in 2008 and the current vintage was produced from grapes that were harvested in March, 2019. The wine has a bright violet colour that combines hues of plum and cherry. On the nose, it is piquant along with aromas of violet and white pepper, while in the mouth it is relaxed, having a good, light freshness as well as voluminous tannins.