Achaval Ferrer Finca Altamira 2007
Malbec
$74 to $117 on Wine-searcher, but there are a number of vendors that sell it for under $80

Note: This review is based on a bottle that had already been open for 3 days at a wine bar, so it may not reflect the wine accurately. If anything, it should be even better than what I tasted.

Also, note that this is one of the 3 legendary icons of Achaval Ferrer. The Malbec grapes used in this wine are from the highest-altitude parcel of Malbec-producing land in Achaval Ferrer’s stock.

It has a gorgeous color. Almost pure violet. One of the darkest I’ve ever seen. Tons of reddish shades.

Earthy aroma—minerals, coffee, fresh rain,. Some olives in the smell as well. Very soft and elegant.

Nice, but a bit on the sour side. It has one of the longest finishes I’ve tried in a Malbec, with a good sour fruitiness to it. It also has some coffee overtones to it. Very nuanced. Yet it is also very smooth, with little acidity to it.

Overall Sco 9.2/10. For value, more of a 9.0/10. Achaval Ferrer produces perhaps the most well-respected Malbecs in the whole country, and this wine certainly lives up to his legacy. The flavor, to be honest, is not my cup of tea, since it is on the lighter, nuanced side, to the point that it doesn’t even taste like a Malbec at times. Moreover, for the price, you can find better Malbec in my opinion.

On Jun 15, 3:23*pm, The Food Buster <The.Food.Buster.
> wrote:
> Achaval Ferrer Finca Altamira 2007
> Malbec
> $74 to $117 on Wine-searcher, but there are a number of vendors that
> sell it for under $80
>
> Note: This review is based on a bottle that had already been open for 3
> days at a wine bar, so it may not reflect the wine accurately. If
> anything, it should be even better than what I tasted.
>
> Also, note that this is one of the 3 legendary icons of Achaval Ferrer.
> The Malbec grapes used in this wine are from the highest-altitude parcel
> of Malbec-producing land in Achaval Ferrer’s stock.
>
> It has a gorgeous color. Almost pure violet. One of the darkest I’ve
> ever seen. Tons of reddish shades.
>
> Earthy aroma—minerals, coffee, fresh rain,. Some olives in the smell as
> well. Very soft and elegant.
>
> Nice, but a bit on the sour side. It has one of the longest finishes
> I’ve tried in a Malbec, with a good sour fruitiness to it. It also has
> some coffee overtones to it. Very nuanced. Yet it is also very smooth,
> with little acidity to it.
>
> Overall Sco 9.2/10. For value, more of a 9.0/10. Achaval Ferrer
> produces perhaps the most well-respected Malbecs in the whole country,
> and this wine certainly lives up to his legacy. The flavor, to be
> honest, is not my cup of tea, since it is on the lighter, nuanced side,
> to the point that it doesn’t even taste like a Malbec at times.
> Moreover, for the price, you can find better Malbec in my opinion.
>
> --
> The Food Buster

thanks for notes. The Altamira (in earlier vintages) is the only
upscale Malbec I own. I really think Achaval Ferrer does nice things
at all levels.

Yeah, I'd have to agree with you. He knows his Malbecs in and out. It's especially impressive because 4 of his 5 wines are all Malbecs, yet each tastes completely. He's a bit overrated at times, but it's only fair, since he practically set the international market for high-end Malbec.