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$89.99
WINE ADVOCATE 98 POINTS - "The 2009 Finca Bella Vista was sourced from a vineyard planted in 1910 giving a miserly yield of 0.75 tons per acre. It displays Read More...
slightly blacker fruit, a bit more depth and opulence, and a finish that seems endless. Give it 5-6 years of cellaring and enjoy it from 2016 to 2029+.
Achaval-Ferrer, under the direction of CEO Santiago Achaval and winemaker Roberto Cipresso, stands at the summit of Argentina wine producers. The benchmark Finca bottlings are limited (under 1000 cases produced of each) so the best way to discover the pleasures of Achaval-Ferrer are through the entry-level Malbec of which there are 12,000 cases. Achaval-Ferrer is about to launch a new cuvee called Tempous, a blend of the three single vineyards. There are only 75 cases (3 barrels) produced of each vintage, so fans of the winery, be prepared to go to war to get your hands on a few bottles. The wines are fermented with indigenous yeasts, aged for 18 months in new French oak, and bottled without fining or filtration."
Achaval-Ferrer, under the direction of CEO Santiago Achaval and winemaker Roberto Cipresso, stands at the summit of Argentina wine producers. The benchmark Finca bottlings are limited (under 1000 cases produced of each) so the best way to discover the pleasures of Achaval-Ferrer are through the entry-level Malbec of which there are 12,000 cases. Achaval-Ferrer is about to launch a new cuvee called Tempous, a blend of the three single vineyards. There are only 75 cases (3 barrels) produced of each vintage, so fans of the winery, be prepared to go to war to get your hands on a few bottles. The wines are fermented with indigenous yeasts, aged for 18 months in new French oak, and bottled without fining or filtration."
$34.95
WINE ADVOCATE 91 POINTS - "The 2010 Quimera is a blend of 27% Malbec and 24% Cabernet Sauvignon alongside Petit Verdot and Merlot, raised in 40% French Read More...
new oak for 14 months, the remainder one year old. It has a complex, almost “mulchy” bouquet: one that evokes undergrowth and tertiary aromas that are well-defined and cerebral. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, slightly chewy tannins surrounding a core of blackberry laced with licorice and a hint of star anise. The finish is focused and taut, bestowed with an extremely fresh citric finish. Old World meets New – with style. Drink 2014-2022.
Achaval Ferrer should need no introduction to anyone with a passing interest in Argentinean wine, a paradigm of how far the country has progressed over the last decade. In 2011, founders Santiago Achaval and Manuel Ferrer sold a large percentage of shares to the SPI group that owns Stolichnaya vodka as well as shares in Tenuto d’Ornellaia and Frescobaldi, although both Ferrer and Achaval remain on the managing board. Instead of visiting the winery (which I intend to do in the future), I tasted wines past and present with Santiago in London, where I was afforded more time to plot the wine’s development in the glass. The tasting was no revelation, since I have encountered and appreciated the wines for many years. They are well-crafted, very pure and stylistically equidistant between Old World and New. My reviews will seem meaner and the scores more parsimonious than might be anticipated. It simply reflects where I see the wines in the context of such a comprehensive overview of a dynamic country – great wines for sure and very consistent, but perhaps others have stepped up their game? The older vintages have certainly held up well, although a demanding connoisseur would expect more in the way of secondary aromas and flavors to replace the lost primary ones.
Achaval Ferrer should need no introduction to anyone with a passing interest in Argentinean wine, a paradigm of how far the country has progressed over the last decade. In 2011, founders Santiago Achaval and Manuel Ferrer sold a large percentage of shares to the SPI group that owns Stolichnaya vodka as well as shares in Tenuto d’Ornellaia and Frescobaldi, although both Ferrer and Achaval remain on the managing board. Instead of visiting the winery (which I intend to do in the future), I tasted wines past and present with Santiago in London, where I was afforded more time to plot the wine’s development in the glass. The tasting was no revelation, since I have encountered and appreciated the wines for many years. They are well-crafted, very pure and stylistically equidistant between Old World and New. My reviews will seem meaner and the scores more parsimonious than might be anticipated. It simply reflects where I see the wines in the context of such a comprehensive overview of a dynamic country – great wines for sure and very consistent, but perhaps others have stepped up their game? The older vintages have certainly held up well, although a demanding connoisseur would expect more in the way of secondary aromas and flavors to replace the lost primary ones.
$19.95
Winemaker's Notes - "Intense, pure, full colors and young aromas. This wine completes Achaval Ferrer's vision of Malbec. Rich with luscious raspberry and macerated currant, Read More...
Mendoza Malbec has dark, juicy finish. This wine is vivid and racy in character. The winery wishes to honor the insignia variety of Mendoza and to emphasize all the characteristics of this unique cepage. The work in the vineyards reinforces leaf system over root system, and emphasizes the soul of the fruit."
$8.95
Nicolas Catena's Alamos brand has fashioned another fabulous value with its smoky white fruit-scented 2011 Chardonnay. Medium-bodied and elegant, this wine coats the tasters Read More...
palate with layers of well-focused, rich, plump apples and pears that are intermingles with notes of buttered toast. In addition, its well-balanced, highly expressive and refined personality has outstanding concentration and length.
$8.95
The purple-colored 2009 Malbec Blend contains 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Bonarda. The wine was aged in French and American oak. It offers up a nose of cedar, black cherry, and plum Read More...
leading to a dense wine with plenty of savory black fruit flavor, a forward personality, and good length.
$19.98
WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS
This deep, dark truthful mirror of a red wine, this blend of Bonarda and Malbec enriches the soul upon drinking (Read More...
This deep, dark truthful mirror of a red wine, this blend of Bonarda and Malbec enriches the soul upon drinking (Read More...
or so we believe). The dark oxblood color leads to a nose of black plum and light minerality (loam, sea salt, white pepper) and a feeling that this is serious wine. More plum, both dark and red, mixed with ripe cherry fruit tones is synthesized on the palate with perfect acidity and rich, earthy minerality foreshadowed in the nose; this is excellent, say Wow!, stunning wine.
There are many virtues of beauty. However, the expression of beauty is different in every soul. In fact, there can be a dark, mysterious side to this beauty. Alma Negra (dark soul) honors the unexplored depths of beauty in the shadows of our souls.
There are many virtues of beauty. However, the expression of beauty is different in every soul. In fact, there can be a dark, mysterious side to this beauty. Alma Negra (dark soul) honors the unexplored depths of beauty in the shadows of our souls.
$9.95
We've fallen hard for this wine, but the with explosion of Argentine wines we've tasted so many good ones, our standards have grown higher and higher. This Andeluna Malbec is a real stand-Read More...
out in a category crowded with good wines and it made our decision easy. Andeluna definitely has that core of sumptuous and silky fruit that is essential in a Malbec-long, richly textured, yet enlivened bybright acidity and lavish baking spices. The flavor profile is a pitch perfect balance between black fruit and red fruit (for "blackfruit" think flavors like blackberry, mulberry and currant; for "red fruit" think soft and pretty Pinot-like flavors of raspberry, strawberry and pomegranate). The Andeluna Malbec is bold and beautiful enough to make us fall in love again. Your teeth may be black after enjoying a bottle, but we're sure you'll be smiling.
$14.95
Uno 2009 is a one-of-a kind Malbec whose luscious black and red berry fruit is brightened by natural acidity and supported by firm but ripe tannins. The wine's unique personality reflects Read More...
the superb quality of grapes hand-harvested from our vineyards high on the Andes foothills; its smoothness and purity of flavor evince the gentleness of gravity-flow winemaking. Barrel-aged for eight months in French and American oak, Uno carries cedar and vanilla-spice notes through a lingering finish. Enjoy this exceptional wine with red meat entrees, grilled vegetables, and semi-firm cheeses.
$16.95
WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS -
The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon contains 6% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc in its blend and was aged for 11 months in French (60% new) Read More...
and American (second-use) oak before bottling without fining or filtration (as were each of these wines). Enticing aromas of cassis, Asian spices, incense, rose petal, and black currant set the stage for a supple, sweetly-fruited, medium-bodied, nicely proportioned Cabernet that offers outstanding value. Drink it over the next 6 years
$16.98
Bodegas Caro is the result of an alliance between two wine cultures (French and Argentine), two noble grape varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec), and two iconic families of the Read More...
wine industry (Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and Nicolas Catena). These two powerful organizations pooled their know how and their resources to create this beautiful wine. The
2010 Amancaya is comprised of 65% Malbec and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon that was separately barrel aged for 12 months then blended at racking.
Deep purple and red in color and fruit driven with flavors of black cherry, plum and black currants. Nice tannic texture and very well rounded and balanced. Some vanilla and chocolate notes as well.
Deep purple and red in color and fruit driven with flavors of black cherry, plum and black currants. Nice tannic texture and very well rounded and balanced. Some vanilla and chocolate notes as well.
$13.95
Standout blackberry notes on the nose, which continue on the palate, with a beautiful rustic character that is more European than Argentine.
Excellent structure, with great acidity Read More...
Excellent structure, with great acidity Read More...
and some of the most pleasant tannins we've ever tasted. An authentic wine at a terrific price, great with anything from steak to pizza!
$99.99
WINE ADVOCATE 97 POINTS - "The 2008 Adrianna Vineyard Malbec also spent 18 months in 100% new French barriques. It is a similar purple/black in color, Read More...
with an expressive bouquet of sandalwood, exotic spices, incense, mineral, black cherry, and black raspberry. Broader on the palate than the Nicasia cuvee, it displays serious extraction, great depth of flavor, complexity, and impeccable balance. This loaded, lengthy effort will evolve for at least 5-7 years and offers a drinking window extending from 2014 to 2028."
$99.99
WINE ADVOCATE 97 POINTS - "The 2008 Argentino Malbec is a blend of 65% Adrianna and 35% Nicasia fruit. It, too, spent 24 months in 100% new French oak. Read More...
The Argentino offers a similar aromatic and flavor profile but with just a bit of extra nuance, presumably because of the blending. Dense, rich, and voluptuous, this lengthy effort should easily achieve its 20th birthday in peak form. It will be most enjoyable to taste these three wines side-by-side in another 10-15 years."
$94.99
WINE ADVOCATE 95 POINTS - "The Catena Zapata icons begin with the 2008 Nicasia Vineyard Malbec, which spent 18 months in 100% new French barriques. A glass-Read More...
coating opaque purple/black, it offers up a super-fragrant nose of toasty new oak, earth notes, exotic spices, black cherry and black raspberry. This is followed by a plush, layered, intensely flavored, rich wine with potential complexity, precision, balance, and a seamless finish. Give it 4-6 years of cellaring and drink it through 2028."
$99.99
WINE ADVOCATE 98 POINTS - "The 2008 Nicolas Catena Zapata is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Read More...
Franc that spent 24 months in 100% new French oak followed by 24 months in bottle prior to release. It delivers an inviting bouquet of wood smoke, pencil lead, espresso, incense, lavender, black currant, and black cherry. This sets the stage for a full-bodied, powerful yet elegant, beautifully proportioned effort with great depth and volume. It conceals plenty of structure and will effortlessly evolve for 6-8 years, drinking well through 2028, if not longer."
$49.98
WINE ADVOCATE 94 POINTS -
"The 2009 Alta Catena Malbec comes from the Angelica, La Piramide, Nicasia and Adrianna Vineyards and undergoes malolactic Read More...
fermentation in barrel, then is aged in French oak, 50% new, for 18 months. It offers a gorgeous, pure, floral bouquet with ripe pomegranate and wild strawberry imbued with superb minerality and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a tense, almost broody entry. It is a classic Malbec, one you might almost think came from the Old World, underpinned by great structure and a sense of masculinity. Yet it is superbly balanced with plenty of ripe, earthy black fruit laced with tar and tobacco towards the long, rather aristocratic finish. Excellent. Drink 2014-2025."
$29.99
WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - "The 2010 Alta Catena Chardonnay includes just a touch of botrytis that Alejandro Vigil believes adds a little complexity. Read More...
That is evident on the bouquet, which offers wild honey, jasmine, nectarine and crushed stone aromas that are well-defined. The palate has good weight on the entry, with subtle notes of orange zest, dried apricot, quince and shaved ginger. It builds in the mouth, delivering a very focused, intense finish that you could say, sits comfortably between Old World and New. Drink now-2017+"
$14.98
WINE ADVOCATE 92 POINTS -
"The 2010 Catena Cabernet Sauvignon undergoes a five-day cold maceration and is raised for 12 to 14 months in barrel: first, Read More...
second and third fill. It is a blend of four vineyards and is blended with 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. It has a Bordeaux-like bouquet of blackberry, bilberry, graphite and dry tobacco that is well-defined and classic in style. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. There is a palpable sense of tension to this Cabernet, which exhibits great precision on the spicy, edgy finish. Full of personality, this comes highly recommended. Drink now-2017."
$18.99
We need a book-length manuscript to discuss the
greatness and importance of this Argentine winery; three generations of the Catena family and it just keeps getting better! It all Read More...
started in 1902 with Nicola Catena, recognized as the vintner who revolutionized wine quality
in Argentina. And today, the family keeps
proving that the high altitudes of Mendoza
are indeed unique as they continue to produce world-class wines. The Catena vineyards reach up to 5000 feet. And with pages of accolades for every single wine they produce, the proof is in the bottle!
#58 Wine Spectator "Top 100 for 2011"
WINE SPECTATOR 91 POINTS - “A rich red, with ripe layers of linner torte, plum pudding and fig paste flavors backed by notes of mesquite, olive paste and grilled herbs. Grippy tannins add weight to the long, vibrant finish. Drink now through 2013. 75,000 cases imported.”
#58 Wine Spectator "Top 100 for 2011"
WINE SPECTATOR 91 POINTS - “A rich red, with ripe layers of linner torte, plum pudding and fig paste flavors backed by notes of mesquite, olive paste and grilled herbs. Grippy tannins add weight to the long, vibrant finish. Drink now through 2013. 75,000 cases imported.”
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