2004 Achaval-Ferrer Finca Altamira

Achaval-Ferrer in Mendoza, Argentina, was founded in 1998 by a quartet of Argentinian and Italian entrepreneurs. The name of the winery comes from the two Argentinian founders, who are Santiago Achaval and Manuel Ferrer. The winemaker is one of the Italian partners, Roberto Cipresso. The fourth owner is Tiziano Siviero. The winery includes nearly 50 acres of vineyards mostly planed to Malbec. Some of the vineyards are old-vine grapes, planted as long ago as 1910. The estate also grows some Syrah and Merlot. Most of the estate’s top wines are single vineyard Malbecs that have earned high praise from critics, including Robert M. Parker Jr., who has often rated the estate’s wines in the high 90 pt-range.

Mendoza on the western edge of Argentina is the nation’s largest and most important wine producing region. With about a billion acres under vine, the region of Mendoza alone has nearly half as many vineyards acres as all of the United States. Located on the edge of the Andes, vineyards here are high, usually 2,000 to 3,600 feet above sea level, yet they enjoy a relatively temperate climate and four distinct seasons. The soil is sandy and alluvial with clay underneath and moderate rainfall encourages growth. Historically Argentina, and Mendoza, grew pink skin grapes for slightly sweet pink or white wines. Those grapes are still grown for bulk jug wine. Since the late 1980s, however, Malbec has been Mendoza’s most important grape, since it makes a rich, dark, robust, age-worth red. The second most important red grape is Bonarda, which is thought to be the same grape that California growers know as Charbono. Italian and Spanish red grapes including Sangiovese, Barbera and Tempranillo were brought by immigrants, and they are grown today. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Torrontés and numerous other red and white grapes are also grown successfully.

This grape produces a dark red wine with plenty of tannins. It is one of the six grapes allowed for blending red Bordeaux wines. Malbec is also the flagship variety of Argentina. The grape needs a lot of sun and heat to mature. It adds complexity and intensity to blends.