The 25 best Argentine wines that you have to try

Young winemaker Agustina Hanna manages to capture many things in this Malbec made with organic grapes, with good concentration from Los Chacayes, well supported by black fruit and herbs. With firm tannins, yet friendly because they are Malbec. Juicy and agile finish, consistent and fresh. It's long thanks to its textures and concentration. Drink between 2024 and 2027.

Note: It can be the ideal companion for a romantic outdoor dinner, where meats or homemade pastas are the main dish.

Score: 91.5

Region: Mendoza, Uco Valley, Los Chacayes. Approximate price ARS $13,160.

Andrea Ferreyra, the winemaker at La Celia, produces only 6000 bottles of this Malbec that comes from plot No. 49 of 4 hectares, which she has carefully studied over the years at the winery. Its aromas are modern and expressive, fresh and perfumed, with the best of red fruits, well combined with wood. With a frank palate, fine textures, and good volume, it fills the mouth gracefully, and its depth hints at its great potential.

Note: This line is a clear demonstration of the advances provided by terroir knowledge in wines.

Score: 92

Region: La Celia, Altamira, Uco Valley. Approximate price ARS $16,800.

It's the flagship label of the winery. Its name not only honors the family but also the soils of the place, with the presence of various stones, among which some ferromagnetic volcanic rocks stand out. It's a concentrated red, yet fluid, that "floats" on the palate, with very fine textures and a character of black fruits with subtle herbal notes. Aging for 24 months in oak barrels is perceived only in the softness of the tannins and in the depth of each sip. Balanced and with good potential thanks to its (almost tense) freshness, very well integrated. Drink between 2023 and 2028.

Note: with only three vintages on the market, this Malbec has shown that it has a unique character, which has to do with the place.

Score: 95

Casa Petrini, Tupungato, Uco Valley. Approximate price ARS $38,000.

From four Malbecs from different locations around Cafayate and with different soils, Paco Puga achieves a wine with compact aromas, good volume and textures, tense in its passage and with consistent fluidity. Its good grip allows the wine to open up and its layers to be perceived clearly on the palate. A modern Malbec with the unique character that altitude provides. Drink between 2023 and 2025.

Note: the maker of this wine demonstrates the great present of NOA wines, but also how far a family-made wine can go.

Score: 94

Francisco Puga and Family, Salta. Approximate price ARS $39,500.

Since 2004, this Malbec has set the standard because it's not made from a single vineyard, but from a combination of grapes from old vineyards in La Consulta and Lunlunta. And that clash of the traditional (Lunlunta) with the modern (La Consulta) offers a Malbec that manages to tell a story through a wine, both inside and out. With integrated and delicate aromas, very expressive, reminiscent of black fruits with touches of very fine aging. Its sip is (as always) juicy, with fluidity, but also somewhat compact, and in the end, its biting textures provide depth highlighting its freshness. Drink between 2023 and 2028.

Note: beyond telling a story on the outside, it demonstrates how delicate and complete a Malbec blend can be looking forward, but respecting the past.

Score: 96

Catena Zapata, Mendoza. Approximate price ARS $86,000.

Although its "national cradle" is in Cafayate and the surrounding areas of Salta, more and more are daring to vinify it with serious intentions, taking advantage of the extreme conditions offered by the heights of Mendoza. Here's a white with very floral and fresh aromas, but also with a touch of solar maturity. Like since its debut harvest in 2020, there's good tension. With a frank and refreshing palate, with grip. It's voluptuous and persistent, also expressive, without being invasive. Drink between 2024 and 2027.

Note: a great varietal exponent with more life ahead.

Score: 92

Alta Yari, Gualtallary, Uco Valley. Approximate price ARS $16,000.

Héctor and Pablo Durigutti are revolutionizing this traditional Mendocinean area, not only with their wines but also with the proposals they offer in their winery. It's an area with a lot of history but also with a lot of character. And that's evident in this Criolla, planted differently (Gobelet), to better respect the soil's conformation. Fresh and with good volume, with a fine biting sip, frank and balanced palate. It's pleasant with delicate textures, just the right perfumes, and a finish with slight vegetal hints. Drink between 2023 and 2024.

Note: the Durigutti brothers' great work shows the unique character of Las Compuertas, and this foundational wine proves it. You can be traditional and avant-garde at the same time, using a grape with not so many oenological attributes, but vinifying it with dedication.

Durigutti Family Winemakers, Las Compuertas, Mendoza. 

Score: 91

Approximate price ARS $16,000.

Although its aromas are more vegetal, just ripe red fruit is very present. Smooth entry, with incipient tannins that gain vivacity due to the wine's good acidity. Red fruits, spices, and good maturity are perceived, in its frank and lively, yet classy palate, with aging in French oak for 12 months and bottle aging for 6 months. It's surprising how familiar the Malbec and the Bonarda of the line are, they go on the same track but to different destinations. Drink between 2023 and 2030.

Note: well done to winemaker Roberto González who, with passion, holds high the flag of this traditional Argentine variety.

Score: 91.5

Nieto Senetiner Winery, Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo. Approximate price ARS $26,000.

It's the latest label from the Fin Single Vineyard line, a white in which winemaker Ricardo Galante has great confidence because of how well it performs in the area. With fresh aromas, with slight hints of aging. Good body, almost unctuous, but with nerve. With a frank and tense palate, with a finish that reveals slight smoky notes. Drink between 2024 and 2026.

Note: it's clear that it can be one of the great wines of the area with a lot of potential because it boasts body with acidity and an austere character.

Score: 91

Del Fin del Mundo Winery, San Patricio del Chañar, Neuquén. Approximate price ARS $25,000.

It was the first author Sauvignon Blanc and one of the Argentine white wines with the most personality, and it still is. Because Matías Michelini continues firm in his oenological convictions, and with this label, he shows a mountain white. Fresh and lively, but also light and agile, with textures that highlight its citrus and refreshing character. Also, because of its tension and structure, it evolves very well. Drink between 2023 and 2027.

Note: although Matías Michelini has more complex whites, this is the wine that catapulted him to fame as a winemaker.

Score: 91.5

Passionate Wine, San Pablo, Uco Valley. Approximate price ARS $23,000.

Undoubtedly, it's one of the world's most important white grape varieties, deserving to be the protagonist of great whites like this one from Casa Boher, crafted by Alejandro “Pepe” Martínez and Nicolás Calderón. With very good acidity and a tense palate, it has a good body. Its bright golden appearance suggests some evolution, but no, the wine is very much alive, with good fruit (apricot), floral hints, and some toasted yeast notes. It has character and typicity, a frank and tense palate, with delicate wood notes on the finish. It has nerve and good potential. Best enjoyed between 2024 and 2026.

Note: Only 4200 bottles of this wine were produced.

Rating: 91.5

Rosell Boher, Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo. Approximate Price: ARS $28,000.

The young and fearless winemaker Lucas Niven surprises with this high-altitude white with a romantic name. It reflects his restless and curious soul. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc (70%) and Chardonnay (30%) from a vineyard in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, from which only 900 bottles were produced. It boasts fresh and delicate aromas, with a sense of place. Notes of peas and good freshness, tense on the palate. It has a frank palate with hints of green grass in its interesting finish. Best enjoyed between 2024 and 2025.

Note: Ideal for pairing with sushi, salads, and pizzas.

Rating: 91

Niven Winery and Vineyards, Jujuy, Quebrada de Humahuaca.

Approximate Price: ARS $6,500.

The evolution of this great Argentine white is so remarkable that in 2022, it was the only Argentine wine to win the "Master" award at The Global Chardonnay Masters, one of the world's most important competitions organized by The Drinks Business. Made with grapes from a different plot, with a high limestone component, Silvio Alberto has been refining it slowly since his arrival at the winery. This 2021 is expansive and voluminous, yet agile and austere in character, with a tense freshness that brings depth and good aging potential. Best enjoyed between 2023 and 2031.

Note: This great Argentine wine has evolved to the point where it can be said that María Carmen is on par with Enzo.

Rating: 93

Bianchi Winery, San Rafael, Mendoza. Approximate Price: ARS $22,900.

Chardonnay made with grapes from Estancia San Pablo, at 1400m, fermented with native yeasts, 70% in concrete vessels and the remaining 30% in used 500-liter barrels, without undergoing malolactic fermentation. The 2021 vintage was excellent and fresh for Sebastián Zuccardi, who achieved an austere white with slight hints of cornflakes associated with the varietal. A frank and tense palate, with everything integrated. Not very deep to drink, but with good body and some grip. A precise wine with great potential. Best enjoyed between 2023 and 2029.

Note: Remarkable is the work Sebastián Zuccardi has been doing, seeking out special places and reflecting them in the best way possible in the glasses, as in this case with this Chardonnay from San Pablo, where the variety takes a backseat, after the place and the maker.

Rating: 94.5

Zuccardi Valle de Uco, San Pablo. Approximate Price: ARS $74,400.

Produced in bins, with two weeks of skin contact and aged in 2 used 500-liter barrels, winemaker Germán Masera achieved this orange wine with an orange appearance, bright and well-crafted. Perfumed aromas with notes of concrete. Good volume and tense freshness, not invasive in character, but rather biting and even powerful. Best enjoyed between 2024 and 2026.

Note: Only 1000 bottles were produced.

Rating: 90.5

Beth Estate, Mendoza, Uco Valley, Paraje Altamira. Approximate Price: ARS $16,500.

Not only is it an attractive and elegant proposal on the outside, but also a daring brand. But its attributes are what matter most. With a soft and bright pink appearance, its aromas are as expressive as they are delicate. There are red fruits and hints of wild herbs that speak of a distinct character. Indeed, it's a very unusual blend (Grenache with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon), from one of the most talked-about places, the Canota Valley. Best enjoyed between 2024 and 2025.

Note: Without a doubt, a wine to shine before, during, and after.

Rating: 92

Kaiken, Mendoza, Canota Valley. Approximate Price: ARS $15,500.

While the winery started with the 2008 harvest, Alejandro Vigil had already been producing Cabernet Franc at Catena Zapata, and was beginning to see how well it paired with Malbec. That's why he didn't hesitate to bet on it when it was time to start his own winery. The 2019 from his Single Vineyard Gualtallary is the most impressive to date, as it is the only Argentine wine to have received double 100 points from international critics with the same vintage. With expressive yet balanced aromas, it has a sustained grip and ample freshness dominating its palate. There are dry spices and acidic red fruits, as well as precise tannins and very well-integrated aging. Best enjoyed between 2023 and 2029.

Note: The precision achieved by the climate of the vintage is noticeable, but also the acquired knowledge.

Rating: 95

Aleanna Winery, Gualtallary, Uco Valley. Approximate Price: ARS $46,400.

Undoubtedly, it is one of the benchmark Syrahs of the province and, consequently, of Argentina. With an intense appearance and well-fruited and spicy aromas, its entry on the palate is fresh and its drink juicy, with incipient tannins that highlight hints of its barrel aging in the finish.

Note: Young and friendly, with strength, yet balanced, it's ideal for accompanying grilled meats.

Rating: 90.5

Pyros Vineyard, Pedernal Valley, San Juan. Approximate Price: ARS $6,900.

For over 33 years, Marcelo Miras, owner and winemaker, has been making Merlot, which he considers "the best red variety in Río Negro". A young red made from old vines, with good volume and supported by fruit. A frank and spicy palate, with notes of black fruits. Its incipient tannins highlight its slight vegetal and spicy notes, giving its textures a leading role with each sip. Best enjoyed between 2024 and 2026.

Note: It can be enjoyed chilled by the glass or paired with rice dishes and grilled fish.

Rating: 91

Miras Family, Upper Río Negro Valley. Approximate Price: ARS $7,500.

Casa de Uco is one of the best hotels in Mendoza, the only five-star located so close to the foot of the Andes. There, in addition to a panoramic restaurant, it has a small and fully equipped design winery that respects the geography of the place. All this on a property of over 300 hectares, many of them planted with organic vines. There, winemaker Gustavo Bauzá and his team welcome visitors. And while all their wines tend to be original, this Petit Verdot stands out for its balance. Certainly, it is forceful, in tune with the variety and the place, but everything in harmony. With great strength and volume, a fresh and almost firm drink. Still young with incipient textures, but with great potential. Best enjoyed between 2023 and 2027.

Note: It's an ideal wine to accompany hearty dishes like polenta and the Milanese steak served in the restaurant.

Rating: 91.5

Casa de Uco, Los Chacayes, Uco Valley. Approximate Price: ARS $18,000.

For thirty years, this blend has been setting the course in the first zone based on old vines (1908) of Malbec (85%) with touches of Cabernet Sauvignon (10%) and Merlot (5%). It still feels young, with its aromas currently contained, voluminous with hints of fine aging. It needs to open up in the glass (it can also be decanted). With a broad palate and friendly textures that betray the classicism of its character. Best enjoyed between 2023 and 2027.

Note: Only the classics manage to transcend time and renew themselves without losing the essence that made them great, like this iconic blend from the winery.

Rating: 92.5

Fabre Montmayou, Vistalba, Luján de Cuyo. Approximate Price: ARS $38,000.

It is one of the pioneering wineries in the Uco Valley and undoubtedly the one that has done the most for tourism in the valley, with its modern winery, museum, and great restaurant overlooking the mountains. Additionally, at the Posada Salentein, you can experience the grandeur of the landscape, nestled on a property of two thousand hectares that climb the mountains. And all of this is summed up in this great wine. The first blend of the house to which Pepe Galante, the winery's winemaker, added Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot (which surprised him a lot), to the initial blend of Malbec and Merlot. With balanced and modern aromas, with a certain concentration and consistent tannins. Best enjoyed between 2023 and 2025.

Note: With strength and freshness, it is a complete wine, with the best of fruit and aging notes. Additionally, time gradually reveals its complexity.

Rating: 91.5

Salentein, Tunuyán, Uco Valley. Approximate Price: ARS $11,000.

Since its founding vintage in 2015, this blend is born in the vineyard; because the Malbec (about 80%) and Petit Verdot (about 20%) grapes are harvested together at their optimal ripeness and then co-fermented in the winery. In this way, the winery's winemaker, Sebastián Bisole, achieves a purer expression of the place, always reflecting the vintage. Here we have a broad and serious wine, with good maturity and notes of black fruits. It is balanced, yet also has the power of altitude. Its layers become apparent over time in the glasses, it's long and with a complex finish. Best enjoyed between 2023 and 2028.

Note: It's not essential to own a winery or a vineyard to make a great wine, but it is necessary to be passionate and detail-oriented if you want to go far. Diego Mastrantonio demonstrates this in this, one of his iconic wines.

Rating: 94

Family Mastrantonio Winery, Uco Valley, Mendoza. Approximate Price: $40,800.

Not only is it an icon created in 1960, but it was also a pioneer in the Extra Brut category and leads consumption for several generations. The key lies in better vineyard management to reach with more tense and defined base wines. There is a lot of balance in this sparkling wine, the most consumed and enjoyed in Argentina since its creation in 1960. The key to its evolution lies in the origin of the grapes and in the fact that they are harvested earlier and earlier to maintain sustained acidity and a more tense freshness, which provide liveliness to its palate, highlighting its fruity character.

Note: Recently, it was chosen as the best Argentine sparkling wine in 2023 at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships awards ceremony.

Rating: 91

Chandon Winery, Mendoza. Approximate Price: ARS $8,700.

This sparkling wine is the boldest of the three editions. Not only because it is 100% Chardonnay (Blanc de Blancs) from three different plots of Cepas del Plata (at 1550m) and three exceptional vintages (2019, 2015, and 2011), but also because it is truly unique in its style. Young, with tense and persistent bubbles, austere and elegant in its message. With a fresh palate and gentle citrus hints, more crystalline than its predecessors and with an extremely balanced depth. Best enjoyed between 2023 and 2029.

Rating: 95

Baron B, El Peral, Uco Valley. Approximate Price: ARS $38,500.