The 10 best Mendoza wines of 2024

The prestigious British critic Tim Atkin chose this Malbec as Argentina's red wine of the year, awarding it 100 points in his Argentina Special Report 2024, making it the only wine (out of 1776 labels) to achieve the perfect score.

This "world-class Malbec," as he described it, is characterized by its texture, firm tannins, and delicious freshness. "It stands out with aromas of jarilla, spices, minerality, and a finish that lingers like a happy memory on the palate," he noted in his report. This wine comes from a microparcel of less than 1 hectare at Finca Piedra Infinita, located in Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco.

Fact: This wine by winemaker Sebastián Zuccardi also received 100 points in Descorchados 2024, the prestigious Chilean wine publication’s competition.

The first harvest of this 100% organic and sustainable Malbec from a microparcel, crafted by winemaker Federico Gambetta of Altos Las Hormigas, was chosen as the number 1 in the ranking of the Top 100 Best of Argentina by U.S. critic James Suckling.

He called it the "Wine of the Year" for 2024, describing it as "a testament to the changing identity of Malbec in the country, evolving toward refinement and site-specific precision with a unique identity and gastronomic appeal."

Fact: This wine also received great recognition, ranking first among the best wines of South America in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2024, a ceremony organized by the British wine magazine Decanter.

In the Top 100 Wines World 2024, James Suckling evaluated over 40,000 bottles, and this white wine from Catena Wines received 100 points, becoming the highest-ranked Argentine wine on the list, placing 17th.

"It has consistently shown greatness. Its acidity and rich mineral tension make it an excellent companion for Thai or Vietnamese food," the influential critic stated in his report on the wine made by Laura Catena.

Fact: Hailing from Gualtallary, this wine presents vibrant citrus aromas and a marked mineral finish. It’s one of the American critic's favorites, as he awarded it a perfect score for the second time; the first was in 2020.

The 2024 edition of the International Wine Challenge awarded this wine created by winemaker Gonzalo Funes and the team at Bodega Dante Robino 96 points, earning it the International Malbec Trophy, distinguishing it as the Best Malbec in the World.

Also of interest: Bodega Los Toneles, a hidden gem in the city of Mendoza

This vibrant red wine with violet tinges and a brilliant finish now boasts a gold medal and also took trophies for Best Malbec of Valle de Uco and Best Malbec of Argentina.

Fact: This prestigious competition celebrated its 40th edition and remains the most rigorous, impartial, influential, and global of all. Each wine is judged blind, assessing its fidelity to style, region, and vintage.

In the 21st edition of the Decanter World Wine Awards 2024, this wine from Gualtallary (Mendoza's region with the highest vineyards) received the Best in Show medal, the highest award at the competition held in London.

With 97 points, this label, crafted by Martin Kaiser for Viña Doña Paula, became the best Cabernet Franc varietal in the world, standing out as one of the highest-quality wines among over 18,000 labels from 57 countries.

Fact: The name Altaluvia encapsulates two concepts: "Alta" (High) for the vineyards located at 1,350 meters above sea level, and "Aluvia" (Alluvial) reflecting the calcareous alluvial soils of the terroir.

Decanter awarded this Mendoza red from Finca Flichman 97 points and a silver medal, also selecting it as Best in Show, a distinction received by only 50 wines out of more than 18,000 presented at the competition.

"It’s night-black in color, with a dense texture, almost port-like, with primary fruity, floral, and vegetal aromas. But here’s the thing: there’s no heat, no exaggeration, no excess, no fatigue for the drinker. The wine is skilled, flexible, sumptuous, and extremely drinkable—a magnificent winemaking job working on exceptional fruit," described the judges of the Decanter World Wine Awards 2024.

Fact: Made from 100% handpicked grapes from Viñedo Don Fernando in Tupungato, Valle de Uco, this wine also appeared in James Suckling's prestigious Top 100 Argentina 2024, earning 95 points.

Expert Jane Anson, author of Inside Bordeaux, awarded this Malbec from Catena Zapata the highest rating: 100 points.

This wine hails from the Adrianna vineyard in Gualtallary (Valle de Uco) and is signed by winemaker Alejandro Vigil. A glass of this wine reveals violets and rose petals adorned with herbs, cola, mint, flint, slate, hawthorn, blueberry, and black cherry.

Fact: It also received a perfect score in the Descorchados 2024 Guide, marking a milestone as it’s the first time a Mendoza wine has earned 100 points from the prestigious Chilean publication.

Among over 1500 labels from 30 countries, this Malbec from Bodega Trapiche won a gold medal at the Sommelier’s Choice Awards 2024, an international competition held in the United States.

Also of interest: Claudia Covarrubias, the pastry chef from Mendoza conquering Madrid

Fact: The jury, made up of the world’s best sommeliers, awarded this red wine 93 points and named it the "Best Varietal Malbec of the Year" and "Best Wine of Argentina."

Every year, Wine Spectator publishes its Top 100 list of the most outstanding wines globally, and Kaiken Ultra Malbec 2021 ranked 30th, making it the best Argentine wine on the list.

Fact: Winemaker Juan Pablo Solís crafted this characterful wine from a blend of Malbecs from three ideal terroirs in Valle de Uco: Los Chacayes, Altamira, and Gualtallary.

This iconic red was awarded the highest recognition at the Global Malbec Masters 2024, a competition organized by The Drinks Business, where expert judges blind-taste and evaluate wines based on style and price.

Fact: Enzo Bianchi Gran Malbec 2021 is one of Bianchi’s flagship wines; it has a limited production of 27,522 bottles of 750 ml and 186 bottles of 1500 ml. Its aging potential is up to 20 years.