Mendoza Winery Report: Achaval Ferrer, Mendel + 1 other

WINE TALK
1

Winery Report: Achaval Ferrer, Mendel + 1 other.

We toured 3 wineries in Mendoza.

First, some background. We wanted to tour the Falls, but couldn’t book an award ticket, so we went to Mendoza instead. Makes sense since I’m a Berserker. Overall, the wine region wasn’t special vs France, Oregon, or Napa/Sonoma. Would I go back? No.

Most of my wine knowledge is Napa/Sonoma. I didn’t know a thing about Malbec from Mendoza. I wanted to taste at Achaval Ferrer based on their reputation. We had a 30 - 40 minute tour/tasting. The cost was 50 Pesos or US$11 per person. That’s reasonable, and somewhat inexpensive in comparison to California.

Their base Malbec wine was 145 pesos or ~US$30. It was very weak. Nothing special. I know entry level wines aren’t the best, but for $30 and their reputation, I expected a drinkable wine.

We also taste the Quimera. Cost 140 Pesos or US$50 ish. It was good, but not worth the cost based on my experience with California wines. The same could be said for their Finca Mirador at 600 Pesos or US$126. You can buy a great California wine for that price.

My wife and I did enjoy the '11 Dolce from Malbec. It’s a dessert wine. It was light, not syrupy. At 240 Pesos or $52, it was very expensive for a 375mm (half bottle). I’m making a comparison with French sweet dessert wines.

My overall impression, in spite of the ratings from Wine Spectator, was disappointing.

Now we’re talking…

Our next stop was Mendel, just a short distance away. No tasting fee as I recall. The juice here was far superior to Achaval Ferrer, and at a much lower cost.

I know Mendoza isn’t known for white, but the Mendel Semillon was crisp and refreshing. A golden color. 95 Pesos or $20. It will make a nice BBQ wine next summer. My favorite red was the Mendel UNUS. 200 Pesos or $43.00 This blew away any of the A V wines I tasted. Can’t wait to drink these in several years.

The Finca at 420 Pesos or $88 was the best of everything, even better than A.V. It was my #1 wine of the day. None purchased.
Cellar Tracker reviews of Mendel are favorable.

The disappointment…

Dolium. How on earth did Dolium get mixed in with AV and Mendel? Dolium is more a wine for the masses, and it showed. Day and night vs Mendel. As a matter of fact, we did a private tasting with the winemaker plus lunch. The cost was 700 Pesos or ~US$147 for 2 people. I’m still scratching my head over this. The lesson here is to inquire about cost before you go. I never in my wildest dreams expected such a high cost to taste at such a run of the mill place (my opinion).

A friend of mine from Argentina who’s ITB helped coordinate our visit. We pretty much stayed in one area so we wouldn’t waste time driving.

One further comment about Buenos Aires. Whoever said B’s A’s was the Paris of South America must have been drinking. Oh sure, they have a couple of nice neighborhoods, but B’s A’s ain’t no Paris. I always wanted to go there. Glad I did, but I wouldn’t say it’s a must see destination.

2

Uh, thanks for the report? [wow.gif] I’m leaving Tuesday for Buenos Aires and Mendoza. Now I’m really looking forward to my trip. [shock.gif]

3

Roberto de la Mota is doing some great things at Mendel with what are in actuality old vines at 80+ years.

The Semillon is hard to find here in the US, not much made, not much exported. Finca Remota is a great expression of the Altamira vineyard.