As agents for Achaval Ferrer in the UK we are delighted to present the release of their flagship trilogy of single vineyard Malbecs, the 2020 Finca Bella Vista, 2020 Finca Mirador and 2020 Finca Altamira. Expressing the finest terroirs of Mendoza, this project is at its pinnacle of more than 25 years exploring the region’s diverse vineyard sites through Argentina’s signature grape. The incredibly low-yielding, ungrafted vines of Finca Bella Vista, Finca Mirador and Finca Altamira offer remarkable value for what look to be the some of the very best vineyard sites of Mendoza; capable of producing wines that promise to evolve and age with grace and complexity.

The 1999 Finca Altamira, the winery’s debut single vineyard Malbec, burst onto the scene and became the first wine from Argentina to be awarded five stars by Decanter Magazine. Since being appointed as Head Winemaker in 2013, Gustavo Rearte has harnessed the high quality of fruit from the estate’s vineyards to realise his uncompromising passion to express the unique Fincas of each vintage.

For Achaval Ferrer, 2020 was a year of great expressions of terroir, encouraging continued research into the different nuances of their vineyards. They were able to put into practice the necessary tools to avoid the effects of additional humidity, and instead benefit from the sunnier climate that generated harmonious maturation in the grapes. The vineyards behaved almost perfectly; despite an overall warmer than average year, conditions were lenient and gave a harvest of incredible aromas and textures. Hard work from the viticultural team was rewarded with grapes of great complexity, freshness and varietal character that reflect the quality and nobility of the three different Mendoza terroirs. 

Finca Bella Vista, the oldest of the three vineyards with vines planted in 1910, was the first to be harvested. Picking commenced on Blocks 4 and 5 on 11^th March. Characterised by the ancient alluvial soils, this Malbec has complex aromas of violets and a hallmark elegance on the mid-palate. An intensely purple wine with soft, silky tannins.

Pricing: £98 a bottle

Finca Mirador lies to the east of Mendoza and its vines have to work the hardest of the three Fincas; enduring sandy soils and almost desert-like conditions. Delicate canopy management ensures the grapes retain freshness throughout the growing season, resulting in a wine of remarkable concentration and balance, packed with black fruit and spice.

Pricing: £98 a bottle

Finca Altamira gives a true reflection of its mountainous site, with minerality and a beautiful acid line. The highest altitude of the three, it lies at 1,100 metres above sea level. Due to the warmer vintage, picking commenced on 15^th March, almost a month earlier than in 2019. Low yields guaranteed another wonderful expression of this Malbec, boasting orange peel and balsamic notes on the powerful palate.

Pricing: £105 a bottle

For the first time ever Achaval Ferrer have packaged the Fincas in a specially designed six bottle mixed case, offering customers the unique chance to try all three Fincas.

Pricing: £410 a case (In Bond)