Minneapolis Wine Club
This tasting featured some of the best wines of South America. The clear stars of the tasting were the 2 Malbecs from Archaval Ferrer.
- 2007 Montes Carménère Alpha Marchigüe - Chile, Central Valley, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley
Floral, bramble and spice. The palate shows cranberries, bramble, floral and spice. Medium finish. Sharp acidity. This is based on a day 3 reviews which I have found really helps the Carmenere grape settle down and show better. (88 pts.) - 2006 Bodega Norton Privada - Argentina, Mendoza
Blackberry, spice, cranberry and firm tannins make up this everyday drinker. Needs some cellar time to soften but has everything in place. (90 pts.) - 2001 Montes Alpha M - Chile, Central Valley, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley
Earth, cherry, some spice and floral. Medium finish. This wine is not as good as the last bottle I had and this wine should be consumed sooner then later. (90 pts.) - 2005 Viña Almaviva S.A. Almaviva - Chile, Central Valley, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto
Nose of cherry, spice, floral and black pepper. Big wine on the palate and the Carmenere really showed. Good concentration and smooth finish overall. This wine is drinking well right now and I did not decant it. I wish there was a little less Carmenere in the blend as I think it would be closer to a 94/95. (92 pts.) - 2005 Viña Almaviva S.A. Almaviva - Chile, Central Valley, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto
Nose of cherry, spice, floral and black pepper. Big wine on the palate and the Carmenere really showed. Good concentration and smooth finish overall. This wine is drinking well right now and I did not decant it. I wish there was a little less Carmenere in the blend as I think it would be closer to a 94/95. (92 pts.) - 2005 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor - Chile, Central Valley, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto
Medium purple. Nose spice, cigar, coffee, and earth. On the palate dirt, spice, cigar, coffee, cranberries. Medium finish and good structure. Should improve with five more years in the cellar. (93 pts.) - 2004 Achaval-Ferrer Malbec Finca Mirador - Argentina, Mendoza
Blackberries, cranberry, spices and coffee on the nose. The palate displays good concentration and the wine is balanced. Drinking well right now but I could see 10 plus years of improvement. Second tasting of this wine and impressed again. (93 pts.) - 2004 Achaval-Ferrer Malbec Finca Altamira - Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, La Consulta
Floral, dust, spice, chalk, floral and cherry on the nose. The palate is really complex and the wine balanced. I love the dusty and chalk quality. Medium finish with layers of flavors. Good acidity and a great example of high end Malbec. (94 pts.)