About this wine
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.
A fruit-forward, full-bodied introduction to Argentine Malbec — structured enough to be interesting, easy enough to enjoy on a weeknight.
Sommelier's Note
"Achaval Ferrer's Mendoza Malbec proves everyday Malbec doesn't have to mean simple — it's structured, vivid, and unmistakably terroir-driven even at entry level."
Food Pairings
A natural match for grilled ribeye or flank steak, Argentine-style asado, chorizo, and other char-grilled meats; also pairs well with tomato-based pasta and aged hard cheeses.
When to drink it
Weeknight steak dinners, casual gatherings, everyday drinking
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Malbec
- Style
- Red
- Alcohol
- 14.5%
- Price Range
- Approx. $20-30 at US retail (Wine-Searcher average ~$20-27 ex-tax); Japan retail pricing not confirmed — estimate only.
Terroir & Winemaking
Blend of fruit from Luján de Cuyo (~60%), Valle de Uco (~30%), and eastern Mendoza (~10%). Aged approximately 8 months, split between concrete tanks and neutral/seasoned 160L and 225L oak barrels — no new oak. 14.5% ABV.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Achaval Ferrer's Mendoza Malbec different from other entry-level Malbecs?
- It blends fruit from three distinct Mendoza zones (Luján de Cuyo, Valle de Uco, and eastern Mendoza) rather than sourcing from a single flat region, and avoids new oak to keep the focus on pure, vibrant fruit character.
- How is it aged?
- For about eight months, split between concrete tanks and neutral, well-seasoned oak barrels (160L and 225L) — deliberately avoiding new oak to preserve fresh fruit expression.
- What food pairs well with this wine?
- Grilled steak and Argentine asado are the classic match, but it also works well with tomato-based pasta, chorizo, and Japanese dishes like sukiyaki or miso-glazed pork.
- Is this a good introduction to Achaval Ferrer as a producer?
- Yes — it applies the same low-yield, low-intervention winemaking philosophy as the winery's premium single-vineyard Fincas and the Quimera blend, just at a more accessible price point.
Want to know more about this wine?
Ask Vinami's sommelier — no intimidation, just answers.
Talk to the SommelierMore wines from this producer
アチャヴァル・フェレール キメラ
Achaval Ferrer Quimera
RedMalbec · Cabernet Sauvignon · Cabernet Franc · Merlot · Petit Verdot
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 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.
アチャヴァル・フェレール フィンカ・アルタミラ
Achaval Ferrer Finca Altamira
RedMalbec
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.