When a winemaker is required to be in the vineyard, but also needs to publicize the release of a new wine, how does one prioritize? If you are Winemaker Santiago Ferrer, the winemaker and co-founder of Achaval- Ferrer, you figure out how to do both and even bring the experience to life.
Over two tastings, 20 lucky bloggers from six states came together to experience the components of the 2012 Quimera (SRP $34.99). Santiago was an awesome host and talked about how he came to Mendoza with a group of friends in 1988 to follow a passion to make world-class Argentine wine. Achaval-Ferrer was launched in 1995.
Passion is what he hopes to inspire with wine drinkers. “Truth and transcendence are connected to wine,” he said. “My mission is to do that with every wine I make, but with low human intervention with a focus on the terroir.”
He talked about how balance and complexity are key drivers of the Quimera blend, which is sourced from single vineyards with older vines. Malbec is the dominant grape in the blend, but we were given bottles of the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012 Cabernet Franc (which was delicious as a stand-alone wine) and the 2012 Petit Verdot. He took us through each of the components while we did a side-by-side tasting of the final blend of Quimera. Having the ability to experience all of the flavor profiles in each component, was such a great lesson on the parts making a fantastic end product.
Achaval-Ferrer
It was clear that he was having a blast telling the story of his wine. Experience a short video of Santiago for yourself talking about each component by clicking here.
