2004 Achaval-Ferrer Malbec Finca Altamira

The glories of Achaval-Ferrer are the limited production single-vineyard Malbecs. Your best chance of tracking down a bottle of a single-vineyard Achaval-Ferrer is the 650 case production of Finca Altamira. The 2004 Finca Altamira comes from 80+ year old vines and received the same oak aging treatment as its two peers. It is opaque purple/black in color with aromas of creosote, scorched earth, wood smoke, espresso, black cherry, and blackberry. Belying its modest 13.9% alcohol, the wine is dense and remarkably rich with flavors of mineral, chocolate, and assorted black fruits emerging on the palate. The wine is splendidly balanced with beautifully integrated oak, tannin, and acidity. It will easily evolve for 10+ years and drink well through 2035. 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