Malbec Reimagined by Léoville-Poyferré
The Cuvelier family, probably best known for their historic Bordeaux estate Château Léoville Poyferré, brought their ambition to Argentina with Cuvelier Los Andes in 1998. At first, the idea was simple: recreate Bordeaux in the Andes. But as they worked the vineyards and collaborated with local agronomists, it became clear that Argentina demanded a different approach entirely. Special things can happen when a true collaboration like this happens. Few people, especially those with a history in wine making such as the Cuvelier family, would be willing to listen to the advice of the locals.
In Bordeaux, the constant challenge is achieving full ripeness. In the high-altitude vineyards of the Valle de Uco, the opposite is true. Ripeness comes easily. The real artistry lies in preserving freshness, maintaining natural acidity, and capturing balance in a sun-drenched climate. Rather than forcing a Cabernet-driven model, the Cuveliers embraced what Argentina does best: Malbec. Here, it takes center stage, not as a supporting player as it would in Bordeaux, but as the star. The result is a wine that reflects both its origin and its pedigree.
The 2020 Cuvelier Los Andes Malbec is the current release. That alone is unusual in Argentina, where many producers have already moved on to more recent vintages. But this extended time in the bottle is intentional. Just like at Léoville Poyferré, the goal is longevity. These wines are built not just to impress today, but to evolve gracefully over time.
In the glass, you’ll find classic Malbec depth but with an added layer of freshness that speaks to its careful upbringing. It’s a wine that bridges continents: Argentine in spirit, Bordeaux in philosophy.
92 Points, Suckling
Black plums, tobacco, violets and cocoa powder on the nose. Some vanilla bean. It’s full-bodied, balanced and fine-grained, with tension and tightness. Drink now or hold.