Carmela Gran Reserva Malbec
⏳ Drinking Window
2023 - 2032
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, roasted lamb chops, slow-cooked beef brisket
✨ Technical Specifications
Named in honor of Hector Durigutti's daughter, Carmela, this flagship Gran Reserva represents a deeply personal tribute and a showcase of the family's finest viticultural heritage. The grapes are sourced from historic, low-yielding old vines in Las Compuertas, a prestigious sub-appellation of Luján de Cuyo in Mendoza. Situated at the foot of the Andes, these vineyards thrive in alluvial soils composed of clay, loam, and river stones, irrigated by pure snowmelt. The winemaking philosophy blends traditional craftsmanship with modern precision, utilizing native yeasts and aging the wine for up to two years in select French oak casks. This meticulous process yields a Malbec of exceptional depth, characterized by intense floral notes of violets, dark plum, and integrated spice, reflecting the true soul of old-vine Mendoza Malbec.
🍾 About the Producer
Durigutti Family Winemakers was established in 2002 by winemaking brothers Héctor and Pablo Durigutti, who sought to champion Argentina's heritage terroirs through precise, artisanal winemaking. Their viticultural base centers on Finca Victoria in Las Compuertas, a historic high-altitude appellation within Luján de Cuyo perched above 1,000 meters along the Mendoza River. Here, ancient alluvial soils rich in silt, gravel, and limestone combine with intense Andean sunshine and marked diurnal shifts, creating optimal conditions for certified organic viticulture. Rejecting heavy-handed intervention, the Durigutti brothers emphasize spontaneous native yeast fermentations, concrete vats, ceramic amphorae, and judicious oak aging to preserve varietal clarity and site transparency. Their portfolio reflects an extraordinary stylistic breadth, anchored by the benchmark Proyecto Las Compuertas Malbec and the icon cuvée Esencia, alongside heritage recovery projects such as Cara Sucia and terroir-driven expressions from regional outposts across Mendoza and San Juan.
🍇 Grapes
Malbec
🍷 ABV
14-14.5%