In December, Achaval Ferrer Quimera 2012 from vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina will be released. Having tasted its five distinct components, each bottled separately, as well as the wine itself during the winery’s first virtual tasting on Twitter, I’ll be curious to discover how others feel about this fascinating wine. As for me, I’m thrilled to write that the unique grapes, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot meshed to deliver a wine that expresses a unique personality. The Achaval Ferrer Quimera 2012 is a wine that I look forward to meeting and tasting once again.
Quimera reflects the “dynamism of the components.”
Santiago Achával, Co-Founder and Winemaker, was the featured guest at the twitter tasting. His innovations and obvious love for not only the vineyards but his country have helped Achaval Ferrer achieve international recognition. It was a pleasure to hear his thoughts about the Quimera 2012.
Achával feels that “good wines are made in the vineyards, not the winery”. As a result, he and Roberto Cipresso, Consultant and Winemaker, taste grapes at their best vineyards before harvest to decide which and how much should be present in the Quimera blend. Achával shared that this wine is a “deliberate pursuit of wines made in the vineyard.” Each year, the percentage of the varieties changes depending on the quality of the fruit. Quimera “on its own should not have any one variety take over” stated Achával. The beauty of the Quimera I tasted was just that…each component gave the wine special characteristics.
The Components: “There are no insignificant details.”
Malbec, creamy and dense with personality in each sip, boasted plenty of delicious spice, earth, chocolate, dark cherries and plums. Tingly aromas of cherries and spice leading to flavors of more of the same as well as hints of leather was Cabernet Franc with its texture, tannic structure and lingering finish. Refreshing, light, and uplifting with elegance from acidity, Merlot exhibited floral and fruit forward notes of cherries and strawberries. From vines 50-60 years old, Cabernet Sauvignon was rich and mouthwatering with minerality; Achával considers this the “backbone of the Quimera”. Aromas of sweet spice, vanilla, and juicy red fruits leapt from the bottle of the Petit Verdot that boasted well integrated tannins, medium acidity, and a warm finish. He was prompted to say that “the nose has to entice me but the palate has to deliver…this is the best Petit Verdot we have ever made. It is the roots of the tree that brings all of the components together.”
“The Achaval Ferrer Quimera 2012 is creativity.”
Consisting of 50% Malbec from Medrano and Lujan de Cuyo, 24% Cabernet Franc from Tupungato, 16% Merlot from Tupungato, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon from old vineyards in Medrano, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2012 is a beautiful wine that can be enjoyed now or held for a few more years. The blend is coordinated with a complexity that you may not find in a bottle that only costs $35. Deep aromas, notes of minerality, rich fruits, and spice with a luscious and lingering finish were prevalent; complexity and balance helped define the Quimera 2012 from Achaval Ferrer…an outstanding personality indeed.
Cheers~ Cindy
