Achaval Ferrer Finca Mirador 2013

Starting with the single-vineyards wines, the 2013 Malbec Finca Mirador comes from a plot of Malbec in Medrano planted with old vines, is the warmest of them all, but don't look for any signs of heat or excess ripeness here as the nose is fresh, vibrant and elegant, and without losing its personality it seems to be taken to a higher stage. There is no trace of oak here, despite the fact that they are now using at least a half of smaller, 160-liter barrels for the aging of their top wines. The palate delivers all the nose has promised, plus a fine thread and a thin line of acidity making it remarkably fresh. 2013 seems to be the best vintage yet. Bravo! There is no 2012 of Finca Mirador, because the canopy of the vines was destroyed by hail, and the vines could not ripen the grapes without leaves, so they were forced to cut all the unripe bunches and drop them. I wonder if this has something to do with the exceptional performance of Mirador in 2013.

Piercing blueberry and wild berry aromas are prototypical of this label. A juicy, high-acid palate is linear and a bit edgy, but its composition bodes well for the future. Spiced plum and currant flavors finish with toast, spice and berry notes. Drink through 2024.

Well-sculpted, with iodine and hot stone notes to the flavors of concentrated dried berry and cherry. The peppery finish has some beefy details. Drink now through 2019.