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South American Wines
An Introduction to the Wines of South America for Visitors to Peru
Wines from Argentina: Introduction / Regions / Notable Producers / Reviews
Reviews
Wine Spectator Top Wines from Argentina:
Classic Wines: 96 points / 95 points / 94 points
Outstanding Wines: 93 points / 92 points / 91 points / 90 points
Very Good Wines: 89 points
96 Points
Achával-Ferrer Finca Altamira Mendoza 2003 96 $85
A stunning nose of blackberry and boysenberry confiture that never gets heady
leads to a massively endowed palate of fruit, lavender flower, mineral, tar and
graphite flavors. Superlong finish, with hints of dark chocolate, shows both
power and elegance. An amazing display of fruit and balance thanks to terrific
acidity. Drink now through 2015. 715 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region: Mendoza
Issue Date: Sep 30, 2005
Achával-Ferrer Malbec Mendoza Finca Altamira 2006 96 $112
Piercing aromas of violet, iron and blueberry fruit are followed by a massively
rich, yet amazingly pure and precise palate of boysenberry and blackberry
flavors. The riveting finish is loaded with minerality and dark, velvety fruit.
This is still young, with loads in reserve. Best from 2009 through 2018. 755
cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:Mendoza
Issue Date:Nov 15, 2008
95 Points
Achával-Ferrer Finca Altamira Mendoza 2004 95 $112
Dark and tight, with a tremendous core of blackberry and boysenberry fruit,
covered for now under dark chocolate, graphite and floral notes. Long, vivid
finish has layers of fruit and a great minerally spine. Should be sleek and
beautiful when it opens up fully. Best from 2007 through 2014. 650 cases made. –JM
Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Sep 30, 2006
Achával-Ferrer Finca Bella Vista Mendoza 2004 95 $112
Has a piercing humus hint, followed by a torrent of raspberry and blackberry
confiture, all layered with tar, violet and mineral notes. Long finish is
superracy. Drink now through 2014. 125 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Sep 30, 2006
Achával-Ferrer Malbec Mendoza Finca Mirador 2006 95 $112
This has a stunning nose, with a high-toned violet note running through waves of
warm blueberry, fig, boysenberry and raspberry compote. The intense palate is
superracy, with superb underlying minerality driving the fruit through the long,
seamless finish. Flaunts power without ever getting bombastic. Drink now through
2018. 818 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 15, 2008
Alta Vista Alto Mendoza 2006 95 $80
Shows terrific intensity and drive, with a torrent of fig paste, macerated
currant, boysenberry and blackberry fruit riding over dark, loamy tannins.
Muscular and mouthfilling, but with riveting acidity buried deep on the lengthy
finish. Unabashed in style, and very, very impressive. Tasted twice, with
consistent notes. Best from 2009 through 2015. Tasted twice, with consistent
notes. 1,140 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 15, 2008
Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza Argentino 2004 95 $120
Ultramodern in style, this is massively endowed with dense layers of raspberry
ganache, boysenberry and plum sauce allied to a massive core of dark chocolate,
licorice and loam. Yet this manages to stay deftly balanced, with a long, pure
finish driven by dark fruit and graphite. Drink now through 2011. 150 cases
imported. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 30, 2007
Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza Argentino 2005 95 $123
Ambitious, with lots of muscular, very toasty fig, blueberry, black currant and
boysenberry flavors wound together by bittersweet cocoa and fruitcake notes. The
long, powerful finish will need some time to stretch out fully. Drink now
through 2013. 200 cases imported. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Feb 28, 2009
Vińa Cobos Malbec Mendoza Marchiori Vineyard 2003 95 $150
A stunner, with lush, exotically ripe plum, fig, blackberry and currant compote
flavors that are seamlessly layered with mocha, floral, tar and bacony toast.
Powerful, but as creamy as coconut milk on the superlong finish. A confidently
flamboyant wine. Drink now through 2013. 567 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Dec 15, 2005
Vińa Cobos Malbec Mendoza Marchiori Vineyard 2002 95 $75
This shows awesome purity, with lush, seamless layers of raspberry, blackberry
and fig compote finely stitched with notes of plum sauce, mocha, graphite and
violets. Velvety texture and fresh acidity let the decadent finish display
exotic combinations of flavors. A memory-staining wine. Drink now through 2009.
726 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Mar 31, 2005
Bodega Noemía de Patagonia Río Negro Valley 2006 95 $130
Dense, but incredibly pure and driven, with graphite, mineral and red licorice
notes driving the core of raspberry and boysenberry ganache. Long and superfresh
on the finish. Rich and refined. This drinks like a Burgundy, but it's
distinctly Malbec. Drink now through 2018. 263 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Patagonia Issue Date:
Sep 30, 2008
94 Points
Achával-Ferrer Malbec Mendoza Finca Altamira 2002 94 $85
Lush layers of inky blackberry, black fig jam and crčme de cassis, yet this
doesn't get heady or tiring, as fine acidity, along with floral and graphite
notes, drive the finish. Great mineral, lavender and sanguine notes here too.
Terrific length, purity and balance. Drink now through 2014. 550 cases made. –JM
Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 15, 2004
Achával-Ferrer Finca Bella Vista Mendoza 2003 94 $85
Terrific nose of pure, driven blue and black fruits with a racy palate of
blackberry, boysenberry, graphite, violets and minerals. Silky finish courses
with fruit thanks to a riptide of acidity working underneath that keeps it all
mouthwateringly fresh. Drink now through 2013. 99 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Sep 30, 2005
Achával-Ferrer Finca Mirador Mendoza 2004 94 $112
Tightly drawn for now, with the minerality keeping the raspberry and currant
fruit at bay. Racy notes of violet, graphite and quinine are followed by a
smoky, black tea-infused finish. Lovely, but patience is required. Best from
2007 through 2014. 247 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Sep 30, 2006
Achával-Ferrer Finca Altamira Mendoza 2005 94 $112
Starts with a gorgeous nose of crushed plum and bluebell aromas before following
up with a very concentrated but deftly balanced palate of plum sauce, spice,
blueberry, boysenberry and sweet black licorice, all held together by a vibrant,
minerally spine. The finish is superlong and supersilky. Drink now through 2015.
669 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Oct 15, 2007
Achával-Ferrer Finca Mirador Mendoza 2003 94 $85
This is a tower of raspberry and blackberry ganache, supported by riveting
acidity. Piercing floral, graphite and mineral notes race along as well,
extending the finish to a mouthwatering crescendo. A beautiful expression of
fruit and terroir. Needs some time though. Best from 2006 through 2015. 120
cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Sep 30, 2005
Alta Vista Alto Mendoza 2005 94 $80
Totally packed, with warm fig cake, raspberry ganache, black licorice snap and
pure, dark cocoa notes that power across the palate yet stay fresh and riveting
thanks to fine-grained tannins and well-embedded acidity. Has a long,
authoritative finish. This winery has quietly been getting better and better.
Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2009 through 2015. 920 cases made. –JM
Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Sep 30, 2008
Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza Alta 2003 94 $45
Flashy yet seductive. Vivid purple and blue fruits are layered with exotic mocha
and spice notes. Long and powerful, but creamy and pure on the finish, with fine
acidity stretching it out. Drink now through 2011. 2,500 cases made. –JM
Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 30, 2006
Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza Nicasia Vineyard 2005 94
$105
This aims for power, delivering dark, dense layers of fig sauce, roasted plum
and warm currant preserve all layered with dark chocolate, espresso and black
licorice. The long, dense finish is really well-built. Best from 2009 through
2015. 200 cases imported. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 15, 2008
Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza Adrianna Vineyard 2004 94
$105
Offers a glorious display of vivid, pure, modern fruit, with blueberry,
boysenberry, fig and plum notes all blended together, while licorice, melted
chocolate, graphite and sweet spice notes fill in on the finish. Richly layered
and well-detailed. A beautiful expression of the modern style. Drink now through
2013. 150 cases imported. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Feb 29, 2008
Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza Nicasia Vineyard 2004 94
$105
Super dark in color, loads of sweet toast and a massive core of raspberry
ganache, warm fig and mocha flavors. The long, supercreamy finish shows
impressive drive. A very ambitious style that pulls it off. Drink now through
2012. 150 cases imported. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Feb 29, 2008
Vińa Cobos Malbec Mendoza Marchiori Vineyard 2004 94 $150
Very muscular, with lots of bacony toast and coffee leading the way for dark,
ripe layers of currant, fig and blackberry. Ultrarich, with exotic smoke and
spice notes on the finish. Needs to unwind a bit, but shows impressive depth and
focus. Best from 2008 through 2011. 846 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
May 15, 2007
Vińa Cobos Malbec Mendoza Marchiori Vineyard 2005 94 $150
Very lush and showy, with exotic fig, currant paste and boysenberry reduction
notes layered over a creamy palate that lets mocha, incense, espresso and
Christmas pudding flavors sail through the finish. Almost seems top-heavy, but
its deftly balanced with fine-grained tannins that are very well-embedded on the
finish. Drink now through 2015. 568 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Jun 30, 2008
Luca Malbec Altos de Mendoza Nico 2005 94 $125
Exotic, with intensely concentrated but remarkably creamy fig, raspberry,
boysenberry and currant fruit, seamlessly stitched with mocha and fruitcake
notes. A nice bittersweet ganache twinge and a racy graphite underpinning on the
finish helps keep it all honest. Very impressive. Drink now through 2015. 100
cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 15, 2008
Bodega Noemía de Patagonia Río Negro Valley 2001 94 $155
A seamless expression of pure fruit, with raspberry, blackberry, boysenberry and
fig flavors flowing over notes of milk chocolate, graphite and mineral. Terrific
acidity drives the finish to remarkable lengths. Wow. A real stunner from an
unheralded spot in Argentina. Malbec. Drink now through 2012. 185 cases made. –JM
Country:
Argentina Region:
Patagonia Issue Date:
Web Only - 2005
Bodega Noemía de Patagonia Río Negro Valley 2004 94 $145
Alluring, with beautiful notes of freshly crushed raspberry and blackberry
layered with mocha, spice, graphite, incense and mineral notes. Long finish
stays riveting thanks to superfine acidity. Malbec. Drink now through 2016. 263
cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Patagonia Issue Date:
Sep 30, 2006
Dominio del Plata Nosotros Mendoza 2006 94 $100
Pulls no punches, with a torrent of crushed plum, raspberry and boysenberry
fruit that pumps from start to finish, pushed by lush licorice, mulled spice,
milk chocolate and mint notes. The long, pure finish is almost refreshing,
despite its obvious weight. Malbec. Drink now through 2014. 200 cases made. –JM
Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 15, 2008
South American Wines - An Independent Guide to the some of the Best Wines from Peru, Argentina & Chile.
www.south-american-wines.com Copyright 2009