Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
The dried-meat and ripe-fruit character is very intense on the nose with hints of berries, tobacco and wet leaf. Full-bodied, dense and rich with wonderful energized fruit. Layered. Long and zesty finish. Better in 2020.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2014 started as a normal growing season, but in February it started raining, so the character of many wines is fresh, less powerful and more elegant. These characteristics are clearly reflected in the 2014 Malbec Finca Altamira, which in any case is always the most floral and exuberant of the single-vineyard bottlings. What matters here is the origin, the soils and vines, rather than the process, which is kept more or less the same for all of the wines. It has a spectacular acid structure, not as creamy as other years, more vertical. Truly outstanding. Rating: 96+
-
Wine & Spirits
At 2,296 feet of altitude, Mirador is the lowest of Achaval Ferrer's three Fincas, with vines planted between 1928 and 1942. In warmer years, this is often focused on creaminess more than tannic structure. But in 2014, intense rains refreshed the vines, making for a juicy wine. The typical Malbec notes of black fruit and exotic spice are there, accompanied by penetrating acidity that draws out redder notes of sweet cherry and raspberry. A surprising Mirador, this should be a great pour for slow-cooked pot roast.
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.