The Achaval Ferrer winery has established itself as one of Argentina’s most revered and critically-praised estates. The winery’s full-throttle 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon blends the best qualities of two of Mendoza’s finest, high-altitude terroirs, Medrano and Lujan de Cuyo. The result is Mendoza Cabernet in its full varietal glory: deeply colored, intensely aromatic, rich and suave on the palate with a sense of freshness and verve. An opaque black-plum color in the glass yields to explosive aromas of damson plums, fleshy black cherries, cassis, and mocha. Silky on the attack, the wine coats the palate with velvety plum and currant fruit accented by hints of black licorice, graphite minerality, and camphor. Long and luscious, the wine finishes with firm tannins, buoying acidity, and lingering notes of blueberries, fleshy plums, and Belgian chocolate. This is quintessential Cabernet Sauvignon as viewed through the lens of Argentina’s Mendoza region. Enjoy this young to capture all its varietal glory with thick porterhouse steaks grilled rare, eggplant lasagna, hearty pork braises, and potatoes au gratin.
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous: 89 points
A March 2022 newsletter selection
