Finca Altamira comes from 10 acres of old vines in La Consulta, with some that are 80 years old that is aged in 90% French and 10% American oak.The 2010 Finca Altamira is raised entirely in new French oak. It has a lifted bouquet with blackberry, graphite, a touch of soy and crushed stone. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, fine tannins and great balance. There is a wonderful purity to this wine, with touches of spice and cooked meat towards the finish. Excellent. Drink 2016-2030. Achaval Ferrer should need no introduction to anyone with a passing interest in Argentinean wine, a paradigm of how far the country has progressed over the last decade. In 2011, founders Santiago Achaval and Manuel Ferrer sold a large percentage of shares to the SPI group that owns Stolichnaya vodka as well as shares in Tenuto d’Ornellaia and Frescobaldi, although both Ferrer and Achaval remain on the managing board. Instead of visiting the winery (which I intend to do in the future), I tasted wines past and present with Santiago in London, where I was afforded more time to plot the wine’s development in the glass. The tasting was no revelation, since I have encountered and appreciated the wines for many years. They are well-crafted, very pure and stylistically equidistant between Old World and New. My reviews will seem meaner and the scores more parsimonious than might be anticipated. It simply reflects where I see the wines in the context of such a comprehensive overview of a dynamic country – great wines for sure and very consistent, but perhaps others have stepped up their game? The older vintages have certainly held up well, although a demanding connoisseur would expect more in the way of secondary aromas and flavors to replace the lost primary ones.Importer: TGIC Imports, Woodland Hills, CA; tel. (818) 225-5100; and Corney & Barrow (UK)

From the La Consulta subzone of Mendoza, Altamira is a high-acid Malbec with floral, exotic aromas as well as vivid berry-fruit scents. The palate shows plenty of acidity, and thus the blackberry and blueberry flavors are tangy and borderline tart. Will age well but will never be a lush Malbec. Drink now through 2016.——W.E.(5/1/2011)—— 90

Dense, waxy berry fruit. Structured, vibrant acidity, smooth tannins, a hint of gaminess and wild herbs. Lots of interest.