Demencial Malbec
⏳ Drinking Window
2021 - 2027
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, roasted lamb chops, earthy mushroom stew
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the extreme, high-altitude desert of the Pedernal Valley in San Juan, Argentina, 'Demencial' Malbec represents Finca Las Moras's daring exploration into the wilder side of viticulture. The name 'Demencial'—meaning demented or insane—pays homage to the seemingly crazy endeavor of cultivating vines at nearly 1,400 meters above sea level, where intense solar radiation, dramatic diurnal temperature swings, and poor, stony soils challenge the limits of winemaking. Unlike traditional, heavily oaked Argentine Malbecs, this cuvée is crafted to highlight raw terroir and tension. Fermented primarily in concrete and stainless steel vessels to preserve its vibrant fruit profile, it showcases a distinct mineral edge, chalky tannins, and an electric acidity born from the valley's unique limestone-rich soils.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1993 under the aegis of Grupo Peñaflor, Finca Las Moras emerged as a transformative force in the viticultural landscape of San Juan, Argentina. Taking its name from the mulberry trees (moras) framing its parcels, the estate encompasses over 1,100 hectares distributed across three distinct sub-regions: the warm alluvial Tulum Valley, intermediate Zonda Valley, and the high-altitude frontier of the Pedernal Valley, situated at 1,350 to 1,400 meters above sea level. In Pedernal, cooling Andean breezes, significant diurnal temperature variation, and calcareous, gravel-strewn soils yield fruit marked by brisk natural acidity and exceptional aromatic tension. Led viticulturally by long-tenured chief winemaker Eduardo Casademont, the estate balances wide commercial reach with artisanal experimentation. While renowned for pioneering premium Syrah and Malbec, Finca Las Moras crafts distinctive white wines ranging from crisp, high-elevation Black Label Sauvignon Blanc and organic Chardonnay to traditional Pedro Ximénez aged biologically under flor, such as Pedrito.
🍇 Grapes
Malbec
🍷 ABV
13.5-14%