Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Chardonnay

Description

Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Chardonnay is a 100% Chardonnay from Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, bottled at 13.514.1% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2022 vintage earned a Gold medal at the 2024 Sakura Awards, reinforcing its standing among Argentina’s most respected high-altitude white wines.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.514.1% | Origin: Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina | 100% Chardonnay, Oak-Aged Reserva | Producer: Terrazas de los Andes (Mot & Hennessy)

Production & Heritage

Terrazas de los Andes takes its name from the terraced vineyards that ascend the eastern slopes of the Andes, with plantings situated between 600 and 1,500 meters above sea level. The Chardonnay for this Reserva is sourced from the Gualtallary and El Peral sub-regions within Uco Valley, where dramatic diurnal temperature swingsoften exceeding 20C between day and nightpreserve bright acidity while allowing full phenolic ripeness. Owned by Mot & Hennessy, the winery ferments the juice initially in stainless steel tanks before transferring it to oak barrels to complete fermentation. Partial malolactic fermentation is deliberately employed to retain freshness, and the wine rests on its lees for approximately eight months in oak, building texture without overwhelming the fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe yellow peach and pear, progressing into grapefruit, candied citrus peel, and a delicate thread of white honey. A subtle nuttiness and light cedar note emerge as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is juicy and generous, with pear and lime fruit at the forefront giving way to a mid-palate layered with peach, grapefruit, and gentle oak-derived creaminess. Balanced acidity keeps the wine taut and focused despite its full body, while a light touch of roasted nut and apple tart character adds complexity.

Finish: The finish is long and slightly unctuous, trailing off with subtle brioche, chamomile, and lingering citrus. A gentle warmth rounds out the close without turning heavy.

How to Drink Terrazas Reserva Chardonnay

Serve chilled between 1012C (5054F) in a wide-bowled white wine glass to let the oak-lees complexity open up fully. Pouring slightly warmer than a typical unoaked white allows the brioche and stone fruit layers to emerge. A White Wine Spritzer with a splash of sparkling water and a grapefruit twist plays to the wine’s citrus backbone. In a French 75 variation substituting sparkling wine with this Chardonnay and a measure of gin, the lime and peach notes add richness. For a simple Kir, a small pour of crme de pche over the Reserva Chardonnay highlights the wine’s natural stone fruit character.

Best For

• A dinner party starter alongside seafood or charcuterie
• Gifting a wine lover exploring high-altitude Argentine whites
• Summer evening sipping on the patio when you want more depth than a basic Chardonnay
• Pairing with a multi-course meal that transitions from appetizers to richer mains

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Terrazas Reserva Chardonnay taste like? It delivers ripe pear and yellow peach fruit with grapefruit acidity, layered over creamy oak, subtle brioche, and a hint of white honey. The overall impression is full-bodied yet fresh, with a long, unctuous finish.

How does Terrazas Reserva Chardonnay compare to Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard White Bones Chardonnay? Both are high-altitude Mendoza Chardonnays, but White Bones is a single-vineyard, ultra-premium expression positioned at a significantly higher price tier with more pronounced minerality and complexity. The Terrazas Reserva sits in a more accessible category while still showcasing the signature freshness and structure that Uco Valley altitude provides.

Is Terrazas Reserva Chardonnay good for sipping on its own? Yesits balanced acidity, full body, and layered stone fruit and oak notes make it well-suited for drinking on its own, especially when served at 1012C. The partial malolactic fermentation preserves enough crispness to keep it engaging glass after glass.

Where is Terrazas Reserva Chardonnay made? It is produced by Terrazas de los Andes in Mendoza, Argentina, using Chardonnay grapes grown in the Gualtallary and El Peral sub-regions of the Uco Valley at elevations between 600 and 1,500 meters above sea level.

What foods pair well with Terrazas Reserva Chardonnay? Grilled white fish or shrimp, where the wine’s citrus acidity cuts through richness; roast chicken with herbs, complementing the brioche and cream notes; soft-ripened cheeses like Brie or Camembert, which mirror the wine’s lees-driven texture; risotto with mushrooms or butternut squash, echoing its nutty undertones; and fresh ceviche, where the lime and grapefruit tones create a natural bridge.

What sizes does Terrazas Reserva Chardonnay come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Terrazas Reserva Chardonnay worth the price? It positions as a mid-range Reserva expression that punches above its weight thanks to high-altitude sourcing and oak-lees aging from a Mot & Hennessy-owned estate. Within the Argentine Chardonnay category, it represents strong value against similarly priced competitors that often lack the same structural complexity.

Why Terrazas Reserva Chardonnay?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of New World Chardonnays is the altitude factorUco Valley’s extreme elevation creates a natural engine for acidity retention and aromatic intensity that lower-altitude sites simply cannot replicate. The eight-month oak-and-lees regimen adds genuine textural depth without masking varietal character, a balance many producers in this price range struggle to achieve. A Gold medal at the 2024 Sakura Awards for the 2022 vintage and consistent scores in the 8892 range across multiple vintages from international critics confirm this is a reliable, well-made Chardonnay. Backed by the resources and winemaking expertise of Mot & Hennessy, Terrazas de los Andes delivers a Reserva expression that faithfully translates its terraced, high-altitude origins into the glass.