Achaval-Ferrer "Quimera" Mendoza Red 2020

Decanter : 93 Points

(8/1/2023) A confident blend of Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a splash of Petit Verdot, aged in new and used French oak for just over a year. Plush black fruit aromas woven with spice, chocolate, mint and violets. Rich, but well-balanced palate, with fine tannins and balancing freshness. Layers of black berries, cherry, cranberry, dark chocolate, spice and pencil shavings, with a lingering finish. Drinking Window: 2023 - 2029.

Wine Advocate : 92 Points

(11/30/2022) Quimera was the only Malbec from the winery that wasn't 100% pure, and it now turns into a range of blends, including the original Quimera. I tasted the 2020 Quimera, when they reduced the new oak to around 60% (in 2020 there'll be around 40% only, and they also bought larger foudres) to keep the blend of varieties done before putting it in barrel, where it matured for 13 months. This is 48% Malbec, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 13% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot from many zones of Mendoza, Medrano, Lujan de Cuyo, Tupungato, Tunuyán and San Carlos. It's dark, ripe and juicy, with 14.8% alcohol, soft and voluptuous, with the varieties nicely integrated and the oak in the background. Tasted next to the 2019s, it shows how the vintage is ripe and the tannins are not as fine-boned. This is slightly riper and more rustic, but it should get more polished with some time in bottle. Drink Date: 2023 - 2028.

James Suckling : 92 Points

(3/4/2023) A very ripe and generous Quimera here with some mocha, ripe blackberries and baked plums. Plush, rich and generous on the juicy, medium- to full-bodied palate with a flattering finish. 48% malbec, 13% merlot, 18% cabernet franc, 19% cabernet sauvignon and 2% petit verdot. Drink now.