The Cueva de las Manos Estate
Looking for Chakana's other labels?
Click below:
Cueva de las Manos is produced in a state-of-the-art winery, Chakana, built with the purpose of achieving outstanding quality.
Chakana winery was founded by Juan Pelizzatti on May 2nd, 2002. Juan was driven to enter the wine industry first and foremost by his passion for wine, and also by the desire to invest his time and money on a product of agriculture. Although Juan did not know it at the time, the company was founded on the same day the Chakana was celebrated on the Andes highlands: on that same day, the Southern Cross (the Chakana for the Inca people) becomes vertical in the night Andean sky.
Juan's mission is to create an integral experience to introduce world consumers to the taste and culture of the Andes. His vision is to become one of the top 20 exporters of wine from Argentina, by consistently offering outstanding value for money.
Wine is currently produced in four different levels at Chakana, by winemaker Gabriel Bloise:
Entry Level: Maipe
Reserve Level: Maipe Reserve, Cueva de las Manos, Nuna
Estate Selection
Ayni
The winemaking process is focused on treating the grapes with great care and with strict control of every step of the production.
Wines are designed under the responsibility of the renowned international wine consultant Alberto Antonini.
The winery is located on a 150 ha. estate, 34 km South of the city of Mendoza, in Agrelo, Lujan de Cuyo.
The grapes grown are 35 year-old Malbec, Bonarda and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Deep and textured soils facilitate plant development and confer great body and structure to the wines.
The year-long sunny and dry conditions allow almost organic viticulture practices. The outstanding feature includes a great daily thermal amplitude, with mild days and cold nights, permitting a particular richness of polifenols that improves the wines flavors and color.
A drip irrigation system has been set up to achieve a precise control of the vegetative cycle and a rational use of water. Waters are processed and used in the vineyards.
The Cueva de las Manos Vineyards
Chakana sources grapes from their own four estates:
Agrelo
Acreage: 150 ha, 120 ha with vineyards
70 ha entry level
40 ha reserve level
10 ha estate & ayni
Acreage by varietal at Agrelo Estate:
Malbec: 50 ha
Cabernet Sauvignon: 30 ha
Syrah: 10 ha
Bonarda: 10 ha
Tannat: 2,5 ha
Petit Verdot: 2.5 ha
Cabernet Franc: 1.5 ha
Aspirant Bouchet: 2.5 ha
Ancellotta: 2 ha
Sauvignon Blanc: 4 ha
Viognier: 2.5 ha
Chardonnay: 2.5 ha
Wine Profile: Medium bodied, elegant, fresher fruit. Round tannin on gravels.
Terroir: Very heterogeneous – deep clay to sandy clay gravels; cool climate
Altamira I
Acreage: 15 ha, Malbec high density. Planted in 2010, not in production
Wine Profile: Full bodied, impressive tannic structure and roundness, spicy and complex.
Terroir: Sandy clay gravel, limestone; cooler climate
Altamira II
Acreage: 36 ha, 26 ha with vineyards
20 ha malbec, estate and ayni level
4 ha chardonnay, entry level and reserve
2 ha pinot noir (used for sparkling wine)
Wine Profile: Medium bodied, elegant, fresher fruit. Round tannin on gravels.
Terroir: Very heterogeneous – deep clay to sandy clay gravels; cool climate
Terrada
Acreage: 21 ha, all in vines
100% malbec, old vines, high density
Reserve – Estate Selection
Wine Profile: Complex, ripe fruit, medium bodied, elegant.
Terroir: Sandy clay gravels, 70cm. soil depth, Some limestone; warmer climate.
They also source wines from contract suppliers in Ugarteche and Medrano, for entry level wines, and in Vista Flores, for Estate Selection & Ayni levels.
Cueva de las Manos Cabernet Sauvignon Organic is made from 100 percent Malbec.
Cueva de las Manos translates to "Cave of Hands". There are a series of caves in Patagonia containing stenciled paintings of hands, dating back over 9,000 years ago. The caves have been named a World Heritage Site, and they are the inspiration for the label on these wines.
The wine offers an intense bouquet on the nose, with notes of green pepper. On the palate it is smooth and well-textured with a long and elegant finish.
Pair with game meats and pasta with heavy sauce.
Cueva de las Manos Cabernet Sauvignon Organic is made from 100 percent Malbec.
Cueva de las Manos translates to "Cave of Hands". There are a series of caves in Patagonia containing stenciled paintings of hands, dating back over 9,000 years ago. The caves have been named a World Heritage Site, and they are the inspiration for the label on these wines.
The wine offers an intense bouquet on the nose, with notes of green pepper. On the palate it is smooth and well-textured with a long and elegant finish.
Pair with game meats and pasta with heavy sauce.
Cueva de las Manos Malbec Organic is made from 100 percent Malbec.
Cueva de las Manos translates to "Cave of Hands". There are a series of caves in Patagonia containing stenciled paintings of hands, dating back over 9,000 years ago. The caves have been named a World Heritage Site, and they are the inspiration for the label on these wines.
Cueva de las Manos Malbec is deep purple in color. Fruity intensity on the nose with floral notes. A juicy texture, mild tannins and good structure balanced by a well-integrated freshness. Clean and pure finish.
The Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a combination of Kistler's single vineyards, the exact proportions of which are an elusive bit of information to find, but we do know the proportions come from the four coastal vineyards: Laguna Ridge (formerly known as Kistler Vineyard), Silver Belt (bottled individually as Cuvée Natalie), Occidental Station (bottled individually as Cuvée Catherine), and Bodega Headlands (and potentially some fruit from Running Fence). Just like its big brothers, the Sonoma Coast designate is fermented in small open top fermenters and the free run juice is barrel aged and remains in barrel for fourteen to eighteen months until bottling.
Review:
Aromatically, Marjorie is a big bowl of blueberries with a cherry cupcake on the side. Tart red cherry and lemon verbena tea flavors are punctuated by notes of dark chocolate and candied rose petals. Brilliant acidity and fine-grained tannins make this wine “pop.”
-Wine Enthusiast 94 Points
Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec.
The 2021 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon shows notes of plum, blackberry, licorice, chocolate, violet, and warm spice. Dark plum and black fruit carry through to the palate. Fresh and lively with plush tannins and a polished structure.
Review:
Soft around the edges and firm in the middle, this red- and black-fruited wine has a creaminess on the palate, delivering a mix of red cherries, blackberries and blueberries wrapped in moderate tannins. Contains small amounts of petit verdot, cabernet franc, malbec and merlot.
-James Suckling 92 Points