Achával-Ferrer
Quimera Mendoza Malbec Blend
Mendoza, Cuyo, Argentina
STORAGE is everything.
Correct storage does not magically enlighten all wines, but it enables you to wait until such time that wines crafted with proper parts and proper technique will offer you a higher level of enjoyment.
Our final bottle of this 2003 vintage, purchased in May 2006 for $31 as Achával-Ferrer was beginning their ascension to greatness, with pricing to match.
Decanted 4H.
Similar notes to prior experiences:
Nose has ripe plum, graphite, dried black cherry, dried tart cherry, old leather, dried black currant, slight eucalyptus, dark chocolate, stewed raisin, mashed blackberry, faint chalkboard dust and dried rose.
Palate has sweet prune, semi-sweet chocolate, dried black cherry, sweet-roasted red pepper, dried boysenberry, briar and dry earth. Fine tannins, rich and round the on the finish.
Stellar show on our finale of the vintage...Looking forward to the 2004's. I previously stated this bottle could likely make a 20th birthday in proper storage, looks like it can only make a ~19th birthday in this cellar.
40% Malbec/ 28% Cabernet Sauvignon/ 27% Merlot / 5% Cabernet Franc (4,976 cases)
STORAGE is everything.
Correct storage does not magically enlighten all wines, but it enables you to wait until such time that wines crafted with proper parts and proper technique will offer you a higher level of enjoyment.
Our final bottle of this 2003 vintage, purchased in May 2006 for $31 as Achával-Ferrer was beginning their ascension to greatness, with pricing to match.
Decanted 4H.
Similar notes to prior experiences:
Nose has ripe plum, graphite, dried black cherry, dried tart cherry, old leather, dried black currant, slight eucalyptus, dark chocolate, stewed raisin, mashed blackberry, faint chalkboard dust and dried rose.
Palate has sweet prune, semi-sweet chocolate, dried black cherry, sweet-roasted red pepper, dried boysenberry, briar and dry earth. Fine tannins, rich and round the on the finish.
Stellar show on our finale of the vintage...Looking forward to the 2004's. I previously stated this bottle could likely make a 20th birthday in proper storage, looks like it can only make a ~19th birthday in this cellar.
40% Malbec/ 28% Cabernet Sauvignon/ 27% Merlot / 5% Cabernet Franc (4,976 cases)
Such a delicious wine! Prior notes apply, this bottle still has years, if not a decade, in front. Wowie, wow! More chocolate and leather than our last bottle, abundant dark fruits, minor acidity, no tannins. Again, lots of sediment. Decanted 3H.
Paired to Allen Brothers Mangalitsa Pork, Secreto cut. The ultimate pork, very buttery and tasty, nothing compares. Grilled to perfection in a mere 5M.
Such a delicious wine! Prior notes apply, this bottle still has years, if not a decade, in front. Wowie, wow! More chocolate and leather than our last bottle, abundant dark fruits, minor acidity, no tannins. Again, lots of sediment. Decanted 3H.
Paired to Allen Brothers Mangalitsa Pork, Secreto cut. The ultimate pork, very buttery and tasty, nothing compares. Grilled to perfection in a mere 5M.
We recently pulled some cases out of storage, which haven't seen the light of day for nearly 15 years, so I'll have some fun posts in the next several months.
Nose has dried black cherry, dried tart cherry, dried black currant, slight eucalyptus, dark chocolate, stewed raisin, mashed blackberry, faint chalkboard dust and dried rose.
Palate has sweet prune, semi-dried black cherry, sweet-roasted red pepper, dried boysenberry, briar and dry earth. Honestly, somewhat reminiscent of an Amarone-style. Medium long finish is satisfying.
Decanted ~60 minutes. In an aged, but happy spot today, certainly ready to drink, but could likely make a 20th birthday in proper storage.
Unfined & Unfiltered, this bottle threw the most amount of sediment I can recall of any bottle we've ever opened, even in comparison to older Port or Zinfandel.
40% Malbec / 28% Cabernet Sauvignon / 27% Merlot / 5% Cabernet Franc (4,976 cases)
We recently pulled some cases out of storage, which haven't seen the light of day for nearly 15 years, so I'll have some fun posts in the next several months.
Nose has dried black cherry, dried tart cherry, dried black currant, slight eucalyptus, dark chocolate, stewed raisin, mashed blackberry, faint chalkboard dust and dried rose.
Palate has sweet prune, semi-dried black cherry, sweet-roasted red pepper, dried boysenberry, briar and dry earth. Honestly, somewhat reminiscent of an Amarone-style. Medium long finish is satisfying.
Decanted ~60 minutes. In an aged, but happy spot today, certainly ready to drink, but could likely make a 20th birthday in proper storage.
Unfined & Unfiltered, this bottle threw the most amount of sediment I can recall of any bottle we've ever opened, even in comparison to older Port or Zinfandel.
40% Malbec / 28% Cabernet Sauvignon / 27% Merlot / 5% Cabernet Franc (4,976 cases)
Ronnie had this 3 years ago
Ronnie had this 3 years ago
Sep 24th, 2021