Why it matters
The producer
Montlaiz is a family winery in Mendoza focused on organic grape and wine production. Mariano Olaiz directs Bodega Montlaiz, while Juan Manuel Cabrera leads winemaking.
The cellar has a total capacity of 3.25 million litres and combines stainless steel tanks, concrete vessels and oak barrels. Montlaiz describes its winemaking as minimal intervention, with the aim of emphasizing grape and origin characteristics.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
The winery is in Montecaseros, San Martín, Mendoza. Montlaiz's own vineyards cover 74 hectares across Maipú, Junín and San Martín. Partner growers add grapes from other Mendoza micro regions, including the Uco Valley, bringing different terroirs into the range.
Finca La Flor in Barrancas, Maipú grows Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Aspirant Bouchet. Finca Los Árboles in Junín is planted to Criolla varieties. The provincial spread puts several Mendoza growing areas behind the wines.
Wines to know
The range in view
The red selection includes a Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah wine, a Malbec, and a Criolla named bottle. Montlaiz Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2024 has youthful blackcurrant, blueberry, wild raspberry and fresh herb character, with medium body, high acidity, mid level astringency and very little oak.
Expedition Malbec 2024 is the Malbec wine in the Expedition line, alongside Torrontés Chardonnay and Carmenère in a range linking wines from Chile and Argentina. It brings dark berries, violet, herbs and chocolate, with subtle oak and a long finish.