Achaval Ferrer Tasting at K&L Wine Merchants
K&L Wine Merchants(Redwood City, CA)
Tasted Friday, January 13, 2012 by Martin Redmond with 323 views
Introduction
Achaval Ferrer ("AF") was started by a group of Argentinean and Italian friends The Argentine partners are Santiago Achaval and Manuel Ferrer (pictured below) are the Argentinean partners. The Italian partners are Roberto Cipresso, (the winemaker) and Tiziano Siviero. The vineyards, most of them old vine, are located in the Mendoza region, home of the highest rated Malbec, at the base of the Andes Mountains.
K&L held a tasting of the current releases of AF. Fresh off of rave reviews from Robert Parker, we tasted 4 of the 5 current releases.
2009 Finca Altamira (RP-99) - $89.99 (not tasted)
2009 Finca Mirador (RP-96) - $89.99
2009 Finca Bella Vista (RP-98) - $89.99
2009 Quimera (RP-93) - $34.99
2010 Malbec Mendoza (RP-91) - $18.99
Closing
I was impressed by the AF wines, though I did enjoy the Malbecs more than the Bordeaux blend. I may have rated the wines more highly had they had a chance to breathe more especially, the Finca Mirador, and Bella Vista. And certainly those two wines along with the Bordeaux blend would benefit from further aging. I'd lay down the Quimera Bordeaux blend for at least a couple of years and the higher end Malbecs for at least 3 years.
2010 Achával-Ferrer Malbec Mendoza 88 Points
Argentina, Mendoza
Medium garnet color with dark fruit, spice, dust and floral aromas. On the palate, medium-bodied with blackberry, black currant, and spice flavors. Medium + finish.
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2009 Achával-Ferrer Quimera 89 Points
Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo
Dark garnet color with violet overtones and spicy dark fruit, pencil lead,and violet aromas. On the palate approaching full-bodied, intense, layered and young - would benefit from aging - with firm tannins, and black currant, pencil lead, and spice flavors. Medium finish. Bordeaux blend of 40% Malbec, 22% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. The wine was aged in 40% new French oak.
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2009 Achával-Ferrer Malbec Finca Mirador 92 Points
Argentina, Mendoza
Inky opaque purple color with aromatic, pretty aromas of dark fruit, violet, and dark chocolate. On the palate full-bodied , complex, refined yet intense, round, and smooth with black cherry, cassis, mineral, and spice flavors. Long finish. Would have definitely benefit from more aeration. Sourced from a single vineyard planted at 2400 ft. in 1921.
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2009 Achával-Ferrer Malbec Finca Bella Vista 93 Points
Argentina, Mendoza
Inky opaque purple color with very aromatic violet, dark red fruit, spice and leather aromas. On the palate ample, well structured, and complex with black currant, black raspberry, and spice aromas. Long finish. Needs time. Sourced from a single vineyard planted iat 3100 ft. in 1910
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