ACHAVAL FERRER LAUNCHES THE 2018 VINTAGE OF ITS ACCLAIMED FINCAS TRILOGY
Long before Mendoza became one of the world’s most important wine regions and Malbec earned its renown as a world-class variety, a handful of Argentinian wineries were already garnering global recognition.
Among them was Achaval Ferrer. Having discovered and restored several century-old, ungrafted Malbec vineyards in Mendoza - Finca Bella Vista, Finca Mirador and Finca Altamira - the winemaking team harvested them to produce exclusive single-vineyard Malbecs that have since become an essential piece of the global wine scene.
2018, an exceptional vintage for Achaval Ferrer
After four challenging years, 2018 marked a return to balanced weather in Mendoza. ‘We got back to a textbook season’, says Gustavo Rearte, Head Winemaker at Achaval Ferrer, ‘which allowed us to achieve perfect ripeness thanks to the dry, cool conditions and consistent sunlight.’
Although slightly damper than usual, higher temperatures meant that the wines grew more complex and intense during the summer of 2018. The ripening period added depth and silky tannins, while the average to low rainfall and constant temperatures in the run up to harvest enhanced complexity and texture, contributing to the excellent ageing potential.
An elegant vintage from three iconic Fincas
The superb conditions enjoyed in 2018 yielded one of the most elegant editions of Achaval Ferrer’s Fincas trilogy. ‘The 2018 wines are harmonious, elegant and complex expressions of our vineyards,’ says Rearte. Made with a minimal intervention, low-yield approach, the trilogy expresses the essence and character of each of the iconic vineyards and their respective terroirs.
Finca Altamira 2018, from a plot planted in 1950 in Paraje Altamira, in the Uco Valley, shows perfect balance between ripe fruit and natural acidity. Citrus, balsamic and mineral notes are followed by a subtle, taut palate and a lengthy, balanced finish.
Finca Mirador 2018, meanwhile, made with grapes from a 1921 vineyard planted on a dry riverbed in Medrano, Maipú, presents notes of spice, a fruity core and a hint of graphite. The good tannic structure is balanced by the rich natural acidity typical of the terroir.
Finally, Finca Bella Vista 2018 hails from a 1910 vineyard located on the southern shore of the Mendoza River in Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo. It offers floral, fruity and spicy notes accompanied by the silky tannins characteristic of the clay and loam soils of Finca Bella Vista.
Discover more: https://www.achaval-ferrer.com/
Cheval des Andes, Mendoza 2018 97
£50-£59 (ib) Armit, Berry Bros & Rudd, Bordeaux Index, Corkr, Cru, Honest Grapes, Laithwaites,
Lay & Wheeler, Richard Kihl
The latest release of Cheval des Andes confirms the wine’s standing as one of South America’s greatest reds, showing that, as technical director Gérard Gabillet puts it, ‘we understand our terroirs better and better every year’. Partnering Malbec and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon from Las Compuertas and Paraje Altamira, this has less tannin, density and acidity than the 2017 release, but retains perfume, polish and depth. Floral and refined, with subtle coffee bean oak, sculpted tannins and plum, raspberry and blackcurrant fruit. Classy. Drink 2024-2032 Alc 14.4%
5 Cuvelier Los Andes, Grand Vin, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2017 94
£34.50-£35.95 Amathus Drinks, Lea & Sandeman French style is how winemaker Adrián Manchón describes this cuvée of Malbec with 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, and he has a point. Dense, serious and structured, it has stylishly integrated 50% new wood, fine tannins, is racy and herbal with red berry fruit, notes of dried herbs and impressive palate length. Drink 2022-2027 Alc 15%
6 Bodega Teho, Zaha Toko Vineyard Malbec, Altamira, San Carlos, Mendoza 2019 93
£20 The Wine Society
All sourced from the Toko vineyard in Paraje Altamira, this is a co-fermented assemblage, from French-educated Alejandro Sejanovich, of Malbec with 9% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, that has become a core part of the Teho range over the last decade. Juicy, spicy and concentrated, with bramble and mulberry fruit, a hint of oak spice and a smooth finish. Drink 2023-2029 Alc 13.5%
Clos de los Siete, Vista Flores, Tunuyán, Mendoza 2018 93
£16.99-£19.95 Cambridge Wine Merchants, Champagnes & Châteaux, Laithwaites, Waitrose One of Argentina’s most succesful brands – and with good reason, given its consistent quality – this large-volume blend from Michel Rolland is Malbec-based with 45% Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Polished, smooth and perfumed, it shows flavours of plum, blackberry and orange zest with stylish mocha oak, fine tannins and impressive acidity for a wine from a hot vintage. Drink 2022-2028 Alc 14.5%
Fabre Montmayou, Reserva Cabernet Franc, Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza 2019 93
£16.35 Wine at Home
There’s Agrelo and there’s Agrelo, and this superb Cabernet Franc comes from the higher and generally better part of the sub-region at an altitude of 1,100m. Leafy, floral and intense, with good texture and weight, graphite and basil undertones and racy black fruit freshness complemented by oak. Drink 2022-2026 Alc 14.5%
Weinert, Cavas de Weinert Cask Selection, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza 2011 93
£23-£29.95 Jeroboams, The Wine Society
Cask Selection is a mature red from the Weinert cellars, ready to drink on release but capable of further development in bottle. Combining Malbec with 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, it’s a wild, earthy, savoury red with spicy tannins, sweet Christmas cake and umami flavours and balancing acidity. A tribute to the late Don Raúl de la Mota and Emile Peynaud. Drink 2022-2026 Alc 14.5%
Colomé, Auténtico Malbec, Calchaquíes, Salta 2020 92
£35.99 Latitude Wine, Lockett Bros, Loki Wine,
The Crafty Vintner
Called Auténtico because it sees no oak at all – following the precepts of previous owner Raúl Dávalos when he was in charge – this wine is fermented and aged in a combination of stainless steel and concrete eggs. Dense, sappy and apppealingly wild with impressive concentration, dark fruit intensity and top notes of mountain herbs. Drink 2022-2028 Alc 14.5%