Electric purple in color, with a concentrated, deep nose of mineral, black plum and toast. The palate is lush and giant, but balanced perfectly by natural acidity and fine tannins. Huge berry and plum flavors are dense, and vanilla, coffee and herb flavors grace the long finish. Drink from 2010 through 2016.
— M.S.
(12/31/2009)
Violet in color and broad as the Argentinean pampas, this single-vineyard Malbec is a powder keg of power. The nose oozes dark fruity and fancy new oak, while the palate is loaded with boysenberry, cassis and black olive. It’s a little linear and tight, but its purity is beyond reproach.
— M.S.
(2/1/2007)
One of the most untouched, terroir-driven Malbecs made in Argentina is Achaval-Ferrer’s Altamira. It’s harvested about three weeks earlier than most high-end fruit, resulting in core raspberry flavors and a certain redness of character. The wine is unfined and cloudy but still very clear on the palate, with length, power and class. Best from 2009–2012.
— M.S.
(8/1/2008)
Achaval’s Uco Valley single-vineyard Malbec is strapping and minerally, with exotic black-fruit aromas darkened up by road tar but lightened by violets. It’s focused and bright, with juicy cherry and black-plum flavors. Pure and direct, with a long finish. Drink now through 2013.
— M.S.
(12/31/2009)
This single-vineyard Malbec proves once again that Achaval-Ferrer does not specialize in textbook wines. It's a terroir-driven hard-body with tight blueberry and cherry aromas and flavors. There's a lot of zest, drive and crispness to the palate, and the finish is tight, layered and long. Drinkable now through 2018.
— W.E.
(5/1/2011)
Bella Vista is the richest, most dense of A-F’s three single-vineyard Malbecs. It opens with leather, smoke, blueberry and floral aromas. Next in line is a chewy, dark palate of wild berry and earthy fruit flavors. Clean on the finish with a bit less acidity than its brothers, Altamira and Mirador. Drink now through 2015.
— W.E.
(3/1/2011)
Lush up front and full of cinnamon, sandalwood and blackberry aromas. The palate offers up plum, cassis and blackberry, and overall this wine seems to be the most fruit-forward and intense of Achaval Ferrer’s three single-vineyard ultrapremium Malbecs. It’s literally a bonanza of dark fruit and flesh.
— M.S.
(2/1/2007)
Like its cousins, the Bella Vista vineyard bottling is dark as night. But this wine shows more blueberry and sage on the nose, while the palate is a touch funky as it unloads black fruit infused with the essence of smoked meat and fennel. Very acidic and tannic, but with food it will show nicely.
— M.S.
(2/1/2007)