{"title":"Achaval Ferrer Quimera","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"achaval-ferrer-quimera-2011","title":"Achaval Ferrer Quimera 2011","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAchaval Ferrer Quimera 2011\u003c\/strong\u003e is a co-fermented red blend from Mendoza, Argentina, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This vintage earned 92 points from Wine Spectator, which praised its dark, compact structure and racy cassis fruit, and received 90 points from Robert Parker.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina  |  Style: Red Blend  |  Producer: Achaval Ferrer\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAchaval Ferrer is a respected Mendoza estate based in the prestigious Luján de Cuyo sub-region, long recognized as one of Argentina's premier viticultural areas. Quimera — meaning \"chimera\" in Spanish — is a Bordeaux-style blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. What distinguishes it from most red blends is its production method: rather than fermenting each variety separately and blending the finished wines afterward, all five grape varieties are combined at crush and co-fermented together from the start, creating a more deeply integrated and unified wine from its earliest stages.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with Bing cherry and dark plum before moving into floral notes of violet and a layer of leather. Deeper in the glass, hints of mint, cedar, and toasted oak emerge.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The palate enters with concentrated black cherry and cassis, followed by ripe raspberry and blueberry at mid-palate. Fine-grained tannins provide structure without harshness, while bright acidity keeps the rich fruit focused. Notes of dark chocolate, vanilla, and a subtle herbal quality develop through the mid-palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish is long and layered, carrying fruit, mineral, and tobacco through a clean, persistent close. Tannins remain polished and well-resolved, leaving a savory impression.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Quimera 2011\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis wine is best served at 60–65°F with 30 minutes of decanting to let the co-fermented blend fully open. A large-bowled Bordeaux glass allows the floral aromatics and dark fruit to express themselves fully. At over a decade of age, the 2011 is drinking in its mature window and rewards patient sipping on its own, though it pairs naturally with food.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA dinner party centerpiece alongside grilled red meats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Argentine terroir\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExploring aged South American red blends with Bordeaux structure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding a back-vintage Mendoza expression to a cellar collection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Quimera 2011 taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e The dominant profile centers on concentrated black cherry, cassis, and raspberry, supported by fine tannins, cedar, dark chocolate, and a mineral-tobacco finish. Wine Spectator described it as dark and compact with racy fruit and bright acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Quimera 2011 compare to a traditional Bordeaux blend?\u003c\/strong\u003e Quimera uses the same five Bordeaux varieties but distinguishes itself through co-fermentation — all grapes are crushed and fermented together rather than blended post-fermentation. The result tends toward deeper integration and riper, more generous fruit than many Left Bank Bordeaux at a similar price tier.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Quimera 2011 good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes, this is a contemplative, food-friendly wine that rewards careful attention on its own, particularly after brief decanting to let the mature tannins and tertiary aromas fully develop.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Quimera 2011 made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Quimera is produced by Achaval Ferrer in the Luján de Cuyo sub-region of Mendoza, Argentina, one of the country's most acclaimed areas for high-altitude viticulture and Malbec-based wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Quimera 2011?\u003c\/strong\u003e Grilled ribeye steak complements the wine's dark fruit and tannin structure. Braised lamb shanks echo its savory, herbal undertones. Aged hard cheeses like Manchego or Parmigiano-Reggiano match its intensity. Mushroom risotto highlights the earthy, leather-tinged notes. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the wine's cocoa finish without overwhelming it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Quimera 2011 come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The Achaval Ferrer Quimera 2011 is available in the standard 750ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Quimera 2011 worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Quimera positions as a premium Argentine red blend, and the 92-point Wine Spectator score and 90-point Robert Parker rating place it among well-regarded Mendoza wines at its tier. For a co-fermented five-variety blend with over a decade of bottle age, it represents strong value within the broader landscape of internationally styled red blends.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Quimera 2011?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe co-fermentation technique used for Quimera is genuinely unusual — most blended wines are assembled from separately vinified lots, but Achaval Ferrer's approach of crushing all five Bordeaux varieties together creates a structural cohesion that's difficult to replicate through conventional blending. The 2011 vintage has had well over a decade to develop tertiary complexity, and dual recognition from Wine Spectator (92 points) and Robert Parker (90 points) confirms this is a serious, well-made wine rather than a novelty. From Luján de Cuyo, one of Mendoza's most respected sub-regions, this bottling captures the concentration and ripeness of high-altitude Argentine fruit while maintaining the acidity and tannic polish that keep it age-worthy and food-versatile.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Achaval Ferrer Quimera","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837585092777,"sku":"28503","price":32.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Achaval_Ferrer_Quimera__38921.jpg?v=1730487281"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/achaval-ferrer-quimera.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}