2012 AchÌÁval Ferrer "Quimera" Red Blend Mendoza

The 2012 Quimera is a multi-zone blend of 50% Malbec, 24% Cabernet Franc, 18% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon matured in new French oak barrels. This is the first vintage where the Malbec takes half of the blend, as they want to increase the Mendoza/Argentina character of the wine reducing the more herbal varieties. Not that the wine has ever been herbal or green, and indeed this 2012 is ripe and aromatic, with just a hint of seriousness. The palate reveals how good the bottle-aging is for this wines, which polishes its tannins and leaves them soft and juicy. You don't really feel the heat of the vintage here, the wine is very fresh and drinks very well, but it should also be able to improve even further. (LG)