(old-vines malbec; like the Finca Mirador, this is from a crop level of just 14 hectoliters per hectare) Bright, dark ruby. Very pure but subdued nose offers ripe scents of cassis, licorice, mocha, dark chocolate and medicinal herbs. Broad, concentrated and extremely primary but not yet sweet or filled in, with strong acidity apparent through the very long finish. This, too, will need extended aging to come into harmony and show its detail. The biggest but the least expressive today of these single-finca wines. These are classic examples of the 2008 vintage, and I would not be surprised if they merited scores in the mid-90s seven or eight years down the road.

Bella Vista is the richest, most dense of A-F’s three single-vineyard Malbecs. It opens with leather, smoke, blueberry and floral aromas. Next in line is a chewy, dark palate of wild berry and earthy fruit flavors. Clean on the finish with a bit less acidity than its brothers, Altamira and Mirador. Drink now through 2015. ——W.E.(3/1/2011)—— 91