Agrelo IG

Agrelo is a district of Luján de Cuyo that the INV gave its own IG in 2005 (Res. C.21/2005). Vinous calls it the productive heart of Luján. At Norton's Finca Agrelo the soil is alluvial with a deep layer of sand and a bed of stones. Catena's La Pirámide vineyard, also in Agrelo, has clay topsoil over rounded rocks at 950 metres.

Norton's Agrelo vineyard is 30 hectares at 950 metres. Bodega Bressia has its winery in the district too. Its DOC Agrelo Malbec was among the first Distrital wines under the Luján de Cuyo DOC, and Agrelo is one of the district names the council allows on that label.

When I open an Agrelo Malbec I'm looking for acidity that holds up the weight. Producers point to cool nights that slow ripening and keep acidity, so that's what I check for.