Notes from last night's dinner at Lemuria featuring the wines of one of Argentina's top wineries - Achaval Ferrer. As the restaurant owner is also the top importer of German and Austrian wines in the Philippines, our whites were German while the dessert was Austrian.
Von Buhl Sekt 2002 - It's been a while since I've had this wine. I recall it being lean and racy previously but it seems to have gained some weight in the past 2 years or so. Still lemony, with a bitter rind finish. Clean and friendly on the palate with the fruit more pronounced than previously. A good way to start.
We did a tasting of 3 reds before dinner while another red was paired with the beef. All the reds were opened close to two hours prior to service.
Achaval Ferrer Finca Bella Vista Malbec 2007 - Sweet nose, a little hot. Faintly earthy nose and flavor. A little sour/lactic/cheesy thing going on as well. Graphite. Good complexity and length. Sufficiently softened by the airing. Should gain in complexity and undoubtedly and ager.
Achaval Ferrer Finca Mirador Malbec 2007 - Coffee. More dry than the Bella Vista. Dusty. Rather tannic. Good fragrance but very tight on the palate. Even twoeards the end of the evening it was still closed. Revisit in a couple of years.
Achaval Ferrer Quimera 2007 - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. I failed to note the percentage of each grape, though. Very Bordeaux/pencil shavings nose. Smooth, rich and sweet. A little plummy. Very attractive. My red of the night.
With dinner:
Schloss Lieser Kabinett 2006 - Mosel. Medium sweet. Honeyed but crisp. Lemony finish. Particularly good with the halibut served with a piquillo sauce.
Achaval Ferrer Finca Altamira 2007 - A little hot. Sweet nose. Tobacco, leathery. Mint. Smooth. A little spicy, jammy. Very dry. This also needs more time but was very good with the steak with chimichurri.
Tschida Trockenbeerenauslese Chardonnay 2005 - From Austria. Caramel and burnt sugar. Candied orange. Rich, but exquisite balance. Very easy to drink. Excellent.
We ended the night with an excellent Macallan Estate Reserve malt.