2005 Achaval-Ferrer Malbec Finca Altamira
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Tasting notes
Deep ruby. Subdued black fruits, minerals and mocha on the nose. Broad, plush and very ripe but not overly sweet, offering highly complex flavors of candied fruit and exotic dried flowers. As sexy as this is today, it's also quite backward and in need of bottle aging. Both this wine and the Mirador bottling are from vines more than 40 years of age, and both should evolve positively over the next decade or more.
Critic scores
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The glories of Achaval-Ferrer are the limited production single-vineyard Malbecs. The 2005 Finca Altamira is more primordial and backward than the 2004. Very primary at the moment, with another decade in the bottle it will surely blossom and reveal far more complexity. At that time, my present score will look conservative. Although Achaval-Ferrer’s wines have virtually no track record, I am confident that they will evolve in the manner of a First Growth Bordeaux. Founded only in 1998, Achaval-Ferrer is already established as one of Argentina’s benchmark wineries. They specialize in single vineyard Malbecs from prime Mendoza sites. Finca Altamira is located in La Consulta in the Uco Valley, 60 miles to the south of Mendoza at 3400 feet elevation and contains 10 acres of densely planted old-vine Malbec. Finca Bella Vista is located in the Pedriel district of Lujan de Cuyo, 15 miles to the south of the city of Mendoza at 3100 feet of elevation, with 18 acres of Malbec planted in 1910 as well as a bit of Merlot and Syrah. Finca Mirador is located in Medrano, 34 miles to the southeast of the city of Mendoza at 2400 feet above sea level, with 12 acres of densely planted Malbec vines averaging 40+ years of age. The winery uses predominantly French oak and bottles without fining or filtration. The winemaker is Roberto Cipresso. Importer: TGIC Wine Importers, Woodland Hills, CA; www.achaval-ferrer.com