About this wine
Finca Altamira is Achaval Ferrer's highest-altitude single-vineyard Malbec, from an ungrafted vineyard planted in 1950 in Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley, at around 1,100 meters at the foothills of the Andes, just below the Tunuyán River. The shallow alluvial soil — a limestone-and-volcanic-ash surface (~30cm) over eroded, volcanic-sediment-rich boulders — combined with the extreme mountain climate produces a Malbec with striking minerality, violet aromatics, and a taut, structured palate. Winemaking director Gustavo Rearte has cited Finca Altamira as his pick to pair with bold, umami-forward dishes like shio koji-marinated rib eye.
The most mineral and structured of the three Fincas — best appreciated after trying Bella Vista and Mirador, as it rewards attention and pairs beautifully with bold, umami-rich food.
Sommelier's Note
"Finca Altamira is Achaval Ferrer's clearest proof that altitude and volcanic soil, not just old vines, define Mendoza's greatest Malbecs — a wine of minerality few New World reds can match."
Food Pairings
The winery's own recommendation pairs it with shio koji-marinated rib eye with lacto-fermented garlic emulsion, black sesame, and black garlic sauce; also excellent with grilled dark meats and dishes featuring rosemary or thyme.
When to drink it
Fine dining pairings, special celebrations, wine collector gifts
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Malbec
- Style
- Red
- Alcohol
- 14.5%
- Price Range
- Approx. $126-145 at US retail (Wine-Searcher average ~$145 ex-tax); Japan retail pricing not confirmed — estimate only.
Terroir & Winemaking
Ungrafted Malbec vines planted 1950 in Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley, at ~1,100m altitude. Shallow alluvial soil: limestone and volcanic ash surface (~30cm) over eroded, volcanic-sediment-rich rock. 14.5% ABV.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Finca Altamira's vineyard unique?
- It is Achaval Ferrer's highest-altitude single-vineyard site, planted in 1950 at roughly 1,100 meters in Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley, on shallow limestone-and-volcanic-ash soil over eroded, volcanic-rich rock.
- What does it taste like?
- Violets, ripe blackberries, and a touch of minerality on the nose, with an opulent yet structured palate of dark fruit, mocha, rosemary, and thyme.
- What food does the winery itself recommend?
- Winemaking director Gustavo Rearte has recommended pairing Finca Altamira with shio koji-marinated rib eye, lacto-fermented garlic emulsion, black sesame, and black garlic sauce.
- How does it compare to Finca Bella Vista and Finca Mirador?
- Altamira is the highest-altitude and most mineral-driven of the three, thanks to its limestone/volcanic soil; Bella Vista is more floral and silky, and Mirador is spicier and more savory.
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Talk to the SommelierMore wines from this producer
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Quimera is the flagship red blend from Achaval Ferrer, sourced from old-vine plots across Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza. Named after the mythical chimera, the blend composition shifts each vintage—typically led by Malbec with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot—to capture the best expression of the year. Winemakers taste grapes hours before harvest to decide the final selection ('warm-blend' method). Aged 12–15 months in French oak (one-third new), the wine delivers concentrated dark fruit, violet florals, and velvety tannins with exceptional cellaring potential.
アチャヴァル・フェレール マルベック（メンドーサ）
Achaval Ferrer Malbec
RedMalbec
Achaval Ferrer's entry-level Malbec expresses the varietal typicity of Mendoza, blending fruit from three key zones of the winery's holdings: roughly 60% Luján de Cuyo, 30% Valle de Uco, and 10% eastern Mendoza. Aged around eight months, part in concrete tanks and part in neutral, well-seasoned 160L and 225L oak barrels, it avoids new-oak influence to preserve Achaval Ferrer's signature vibrant, fruit-forward character. It represents roughly 60% of the winery's total production and serves as the accessible gateway into their terroir-driven philosophy — the same low-yield, low-intervention approach applied at every tier.
アチャヴァル・フェレール フィンカ・ベジャビスタ
Achaval Ferrer Finca Bella Vista
RedMalbec
Finca Bella Vista is the oldest of Achaval Ferrer's three single-vineyard Malbecs, sourced from an ungrafted vineyard planted in 1910 on the rocky, alluvial soils of the southern shore of the Mendoza River in Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo. The clay/loam-rich terroir yields wines defined by floral, fruit, and spice notes, with the silky, refined tannins the site is known for. Aged around 14 months in new French oak, it is one of the three 'Fincas' through which Achaval Ferrer expresses how the same variety changes character across different soils and microclimates.
アチャヴァル・フェレール フィンカ・ミラドール
Achaval Ferrer Finca Mirador
RedMalbec
Finca Mirador comes from an ungrafted Malbec vineyard planted in 1921 in a dried riverbed in Medrano, Maipú, at roughly 720-750 meters altitude. The alluvial soil, with a silty clay surface over sand and eroded rock, produces a spicier, more structured expression than its sibling Fincas, marked by dark, brooding fruit, spice, and a savory, graphite-tinged edge. Aged for around a year in a high proportion of new French oak, it is dense and powerful yet retains the vibrant natural acidity typical of this old vineyard.