Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Super-rich, dense, and mouthfilling are just but a few words that even begin to describe the superb 2012 Achaval-Ferrer Finca Altamira Malbec. When I tasted this wine, I placed the experience as one of the top moments in my wine life. Black fruit flavors, medium to a full-bodied palate, and a long-lasting finish position this wine to age well in the cellar for a decade or more. (Tasted: May 9, 2016, San Francisco, CA)
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James Suckling
A dense and finely grained red with super silky tannins and gorgeous fruit. Full and very tight with chocolate, berry and citrus undertones. Very beautiful. Drink or hold.
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Wine Spectator
A lush and vibrant red, offering rich balsamic notes to the roasted plum, dried meat and minerally flavors. Intensely spicy midpalate, with a vibrant finish that lingers with licorice and dark chocolate accents. Drink now through 2019.
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Wine Enthusiast
Black currant, cherry, plum and floral aromas form a nose with freshness as well as power. Lively, layered and fruity on the palate, this single-vineyard Malbec is lightly herbal and toasty, with wild berry flavors leading the charge. A tight, firm finish with raspberry and red-currant flavors ensures that this will stand the test of time. Best 2016–2022.
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.