Achával-Ferrer Malbec 2011

The 2011 Malbec is sourced from Perdriel, Uco and Medrano from vines located at around 900m altitude. The wine is fermented in cement tanks and raised in third use French barrel for 11 months. The nose demands a little coaxing from the glass, but eventually reveals a crisp, pointed nose of black fruit laced with bell pepper that is well-defined, awakening with each swirl of the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a taut, crisp entry. The tannins are bold and ripe, although it needs a little more weight of fruit towards the back end, a little more “girth.” Still, this is a well-crafted, accomplished, entry-level Malbec — a perfect introduction to the genre. Drink now–2017.

The 2011 Malbec is sourced from Perdriel, Uco and Medrano from vines located at around 900m altitude. The wine is fermented in cement tanks and raised in third use French barrel for 11 months. The nose demands a little coaxing from the glass, but eventually reveals a crisp, pointed nose of black fruit laced with bell pepper that is well-defined, awakening with each swirl of the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a taut, crisp entry. The tannins are bold and ripe, although it needs a little more weight of fruit towards the back end, a little more andldquo;girth.andrdquo; Still, this is a well-crafted, accomplished, entry-level Malbec andmdash; a perfect introduction to the genre. Drink nowandndash;2017.

Intense, pure, full colours and young aromas. This wine completes our vision of Malbec. We wish to honour the insignia variety of Mendoza. We want to emphasize all the characteristics of this unique cepage. Our work in the vineyards reinforces leaf system over root system, and emphasizes the soul of the fruit.Mendoza's gift to you! Achaval-Ferrer Website

Santiago Achával and Manuel Ferrer established Achaval Ferrer in 1998 and have gone on to create one of South Amercia’s most sought after labels. Grapes for this Malbec come from three vineyards where all viticulture is directed by Achaval, one in the Uco Valley, one in Luján de Cuyo and one in Medrano. They are worked in an extreme regime of leaf thinning and water deprivation, that Achával believes imposes the optimum amount of stress on the vines in this uniquely hot climate and poor soil to produce grapes with extreme concentration and character. This 2011 Malbec is a prime expression of their philosophy and terrior. Aged 9 months in French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered. The Wine Spectator scored it 92 points saying "Very pure, with a beam of raspberry coulis, blackberry and cherry pulp notes that pump out layers of spice, flint and wildflowers. Juicy yet structured, with a mineral edge to the long, savory finish. Drink now through 2015."

Very pure, with a beam of raspberry coulis, blackberry and cherry pulp notes that pump out layers of spice, flint and wildflowers. Juicy yet structured, with a mineral edge to the long, savory finish. Drink now through 2015.