Achaval Ferrer "Dolce" 2008 Tasting Notes

Achaval Ferrer “Dolce” 2008

Dessert wine made of Malbec, but not fortified.

Achaval Ferrer only produces 5 wines in any sizeable quantity. This is one of the few that he does simply as an experiment or a side project. It is Achaval Ferrer’s take on a desert wine, but it is not a commercialized wine and is not typically sold outside of Argentina.

Color is a deep red. High sugar content makes it a bit more intense.

It has a very strong fruity and floral aroma—just like a Malbec. Somewhat dry in the nose, too. Very nice for a desert wine.

It’s very sweet, but has tons of spice—again, that typical Malbec flavor is emerging. It’s almost like sugar cane. Figs and chocolate are also prominent overtones. In fact, I love sweet wines, but this is too sweet even for me. It needs a bit more balance. More positively, it is very warming on the way down.

7.5-8/10. To be fair, this is one of the better desert wines in Argentina, but it’s just too cloying.

[Jenise]

Edmund, was it lacking acidity? That usually helps carry sugar, and I don't imagine a late harvest malbec naturally having much/any.

I'm not 100%, since I tasted it about a year ago, but I'm pretty sure you hit it on the head with the acidity. I've tried a few Argentine late harvests, and they tend to have poor acidity as a result of fermenting for far too long. I'd also say that the generally warm climate of the best Malbec-producing areas of Mendoza conduces to lower acidity in general.

[David M. Bueker]

Actually, given the growing conditions, I am surprised that volatile acidity is not a prominent component.

For those interested in red dessert wines from Argentina... here is a list to consider:

Bianchi Porto de Magoas
Zuccardi Malamado Malbec
Pulenta Estate Cab Franc Tardio

In any event... the best dessert wines made in Argentina are white.... below is my take on the best two labels in this category....

Rutini Vin Doux Naturel
Afincado Petite Menseng