Achaval Ferrer Finca Mirador 2006 Tasting Notes

Achaval Ferrer Finca Mirador 2006
Malbec
Grapes from Medrano in Mendoza
$79-$120 on Wine-searcher, but a number of vendors sell it for $79-$80.

This is one of the legendary triumvirate of icon-level Malbecs produced by Achaval Ferrer. The Malbec grapes used in this wine are from the lowest-altitude parcel of land from Achaval Ferrer’s stock.

Gorgeous color, as with all of Ferrer’s ultra premiums. Verging on purple, with innumerable shades of violet and orange-red. Great legs.

Strong aroma of soil and especially coffee.

This is an incredibly complex wine. Chocolate, coffee, flowers, and spices all pop out. It’s rather earthy, with a mineral-like taste to it. Citrus tones are, moreover, picked up with time. The finish is rather long. It is a very dense, full-bodied, round wine, with balanced tannins. Still, nothing is overly pronounced, and this wine is soft rather than bold, so it doesn’t come off as overpowering.

9.2/10
For my own taste, I don’t find this wine a particularly good value for the price and would be more inclined to rate it on the lower end, especially because the flavors are a bit on the softer side. I personally prefer refreshingly bold wines, especially for a Malbec. The quality of the wine, however, is undeniable.

[David M. Bueker]

Edmund,

Thanks so much for your notes & welcome to the WLDG.

Oh, I sooooo desperately want to try the Ferrer Malbecs! I've all but given up on the lower end ones. Too bad I just can't afford these puppies on my budget right now...

Ya, I was really lucky, because I actually tasted them in Mendoza (and some even at his winery!). A LOT cheaper when you get them from the source.

That said, the Ferrer Malbecs, while acclaimed as the best in the country, aren't my favorites. If you want a true Malbec experience, try the Bressia Monteagrelo, which goes for about $30 I think, but which is by far my favorite Malbec. Bressia, the winery, also happens to be my personal favorite winery in the whole country, producing probably the best icon-level wine, in my book.

The last three vintages of the entry level A-F have been wonderful imo.

Of the Achaval Ferrer Single Vineyards, Altamira has the best press but its my least favorite.... I like the Bella Vista best, followed by the Mirador. 2006 is a special vintage.... good choice for long term cellaring.

Altamira has the best press but its my least favorite.... I like the Bella Vista best, followed by the Mirador.

Alejandro, could you elaborate? I've heard conflicting descriptions of each wine's character--some say Bella Vista is the most floral and mineral, others say it's the most chocolately. (I just received a 2007 B.V. as a gift, so I'm glad you think highly of it in general.)