2008 Achaval-Ferrer Malbec Finca Altamira

(100% old-vines malbec, from a yield of just 12 hectoliters per hectare) Bright, saturated ruby. Extremely primary aromas of cassis, black cherry, minerals, menthol, licorice and graphite, plus a whiff of leather. Boasts a penetrating mineral firmness but comes across as denser and lusher than the Quimera, with superb purity and verve to its cassis and chocolatey oak flavors. Very young and powerful wine but the most pliant and fine of this trio, all of which spent 15 months in all-new French oak. Saturates and perfumes the entire mouth with leaving any impression of weight. Very long and subtle on the aftertaste. This should evolve in bottle for many years.