From the atlas
Finca Las Moras
A San Juan producer working across Pedernal, Zonda and Tulum, with Malbec, Syrah and oak aged red wines.
At A Glance
| Fact | Details |
| Region | San Juan, Argentina |
| Valleys | Pedernal, Zonda and Tulum |
| Main grapes | Syrah, Malbec, Viognier, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc |
| Signature wines | PAZ Malbec, Mora Negra and Gran Syrah |
| Defining feature | Vineyards spread across contrasting valley elevations |
The Producer
Finca Las Moras is a San Juan producer whose principal varieties are Syrah, Malbec, Viognier, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The winery operates modern, temperature controlled facilities in Tulum Valley. Its winemaking is connected to the wider Grupo Peñaflor team, while the vineyards extend across San Juan's principal wine valleys.
Place
The vineyards occupy three different elevations in San Juan. Pedernal Valley averages 1,350 metres, with cooler temperatures, a wide diurnal range and chalky soils. Zonda Valley lies in the Andean foothills at an average of 950 metres. Tulum Valley averages 650 metres and is among San Juan's warmest wine regions.
The vineyards sit about 20 kilometres from the city of San Juan. Each valley brings a different ripening setting, from Pedernal's cool altitude to Tulum's warmer conditions.
Soil And Site
San Juan's dry climate suits organic and sustainable grape growing. Pedernal's chalky soils sit within the highest and coolest of the three documented valley settings, while Tulum provides one of the warmest wine regions in San Juan. The contrast places cool nights, broad day and night temperature changes, chalk and warmth within the producer's vineyard program.
Story
Eduardo Casademont studied winemaking at Don Bosco in Mendoza before making Finca Las Moras wines from 2006. He works closely with Daniel Pi, Grupo Peñaflor's winemaking director. In 2013, Finca Las Moras was appointed Argentina's wine producer of the year. The named red range includes PAZ Malbec, Mora Negra and Gran Syrah, alongside a broader program built around five principal grape varieties.
Vineyards And Cellar
The Tulum Valley winery has capacity for 9.5 million litres and temperature controlled facilities. Mora Negra is harvested by hand into small 20 kilogram containers before fermentation in stainless steel tanks. It then spends 15 months in new American and French oak, followed by bottle ageing.
Gran Syrah receives 18 months in new French and American oak barrels, followed by further bottle ageing. Oak ageing allows wine to develop texture and spice as it matures, while bottle ageing gives the components more time to integrate.
Wines
The named red range moves from PAZ Malbec to Mora Negra and Gran Syrah. Mora Negra is a blend of Malbec and Bonarda from some of the region's oldest vineyards. Gran Syrah brings together fruit from the producer's different valley settings, with lower sites associated with ripe fruit and higher sites with spicy herbal notes and freshness.
In The Glass
Mora Negra opens with ripe berries, vanilla, sweet spices and smoke. Its flavour is intense, with a soft texture that persists across the palate. The oak contributes the spicy and smoky character described for the wine.
Gran Syrah combines ripe berries and fresh pepper with eucalyptus, liquorice and mint. Tobacco, smoke, chocolate, cinnamon, cloves and figs add a sweeter aromatic register. The wine is full bodied and unctuous, with higher sites contributing spicy herbal scents and freshness around the ripe fruit from lower valleys.
A Bottle To Understand It
Choose PAZ Malbec. It is 100 percent Malbec from a single vineyard, aged for 15 months in new French oak, with a recommended ageing time of four years. Ripe plum, toasted coffee and chocolate accompany a soft texture and long finish. The bottle places one grape, one vineyard and one defined oak treatment at the centre of the range.
Anecdote
In the 1990s, viticulturalist Richard Smart guided the establishment of Finca Las Moras in San Juan. The early work involved significant vineyard plantings in the region. Smart's role belonged to the vineyards at the estate's beginning, before the later named wines and temperature controlled facilities. Finca Las Moras began with a viticulturalist working on the ground in San Juan.
Final Word
Finca Las Moras brings together San Juan's valley differences in a range built around Malbec, Syrah and other principal varieties. PAZ Malbec, Mora Negra and Gran Syrah show three distinct approaches to grape, vineyard source and oak ageing.
Sources
- https://novabev.com/en/brands/wine/argentina/finca-las-moras/
- https://southamericawineguide.com/winery/finca-las-moras-winery/
- https://philipsonsoderberg.se/en/argentina/cujo-mendoza/finca-las-moras
- https://www.fincalasmoras.com/en/paz/
- https://www.fincalasmoras.com/en/moranegra/
- https://fincalasmoras.com/en/gransyrah/
- https://www.systembolaget.se/produkt/vin/paz-malbec-9202207/