Winemaker Notes
Bella Vista vineyard was planted in 1910 at the Mendoza River south bank in the region of Perdriel (Lujan de Cuyo). Achaval Ferrer Finca Bella Vista is distinguished by its smoothing features and finely meshed texture. It is elegant and aromatic with an endless finish and a juicy acidity that stands out.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Toasty oak gives lots of sweet-spice and chocolate character here, followed by blackberries, blueberries and hints of nori, flint and violet extract. Really precise on the palate, showing ripe but freshly crushed blueberries and flowers. Really long, focused finish. Give it a year to let the oak settle, even if it drinks effortlessly now.
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Wine Enthusiast
This red comes from vineyards planted in 1910 in Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo. It starts off with a subtle nose of cherry and nutmeg. The palate shows meaty plum and cherry, with wellintegrated flavors of oak spice supported by silky tannins and balancing acidity. Earthy notes of cocoa linger in the after taste.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The showy 2018 Malbec Finca Bella Vista shows a similar profile as the rest of the single-vineyard bottlings, as they follow a similar process: picking ripe fruit from low-yielding old vines and aging in brand new oak, and both things seem to have a big impact in the profile of the wine. It's ripe and concentrated with notes of dry herbs and abundant and slightly dusty tannins.
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.