Achaval Ferrer Quimera 2011

Achaval Ferrer Quimera 2011 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.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina  |  Style: Red Blend  |  Producer: Achaval Ferrer

Production & Heritage

Achaval 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.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: 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.

Taste: 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.

Finish: 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.

How to Drink Quimera 2011

This 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.

Best For

• A dinner party centerpiece alongside grilled red meats
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Argentine terroir
• Exploring aged South American red blends with Bordeaux structure
• Adding a back-vintage Mendoza expression to a cellar collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Quimera 2011 taste like? 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.

How does Quimera 2011 compare to a traditional Bordeaux blend? 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.

Is Quimera 2011 good for sipping neat? 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.

Where is Quimera 2011 made? 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.

What foods pair well with Quimera 2011? 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.

What sizes does Quimera 2011 come in? The Achaval Ferrer Quimera 2011 is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Quimera 2011 worth the price? 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.

Why Quimera 2011?

The 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.