Achaval Ferrer Finca Altamira Malbec 2016
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Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Dark medium ruby. Blackberry, black plum, violet, cassis and a touch of leather on the nose. Silky on the palate, fresh acidity and refined tannins. Marked layers of espresso with a long floral very expressive finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Superbly fragrant and floral with ethereal red flowers and red plums, as well as cherries and an alluring, spicy edge. The palate has a very composed, coolly refined and plush feel with succulent red plums, cherries and spicy, earthy notes cast on long, fine, lacy and very plush tannins. Drink now.
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Wine Spectator
Shows sinewy power behind the deep, rich flavors of dark fruit and spice, featuring plenty of grip. Seductive loamy notes emerge midpalate, offering a long finish that is powered by chocolate nib and slate accents.
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Founded in 1998, Achaval-Ferrer is a team of friends who dream about great wines. Achaval-Ferrer is also a collection of old vineyards in beautiful places. They are committed to the production of wines that are expressive of their terroir. They are a small winery because this is the key to top quality. Low yields allow the vineyards to express their personality in the grapes. Low intervention winemaking allows the grapes to fully express their vineyard in the bottle. Each of their wines is a different expresson of Malbec: The Mendoza Malbec is about varietal tipicity. Their Quimera blend is about Malbec as the key to complexity and balance. And their Fincas (Single Vineyards) are about how Malbec expresses different soils and microclimates.
Celebrated for its bold flavors and supple texture, Malbec has enjoyed runaway success in Argentina since the late 20th century. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, where it historically contributed color and tannin to blends. A French agronomist, who saw great potential for the variety in Mendoza’s hot, high-altitude landscape, brought Malbec to Argentina in 1868. Somm Secret—If you’re trying to please a crowd, Malbec is generally a safe bet with its combination of dense fruit and soft tannins.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.