Achaval-Ferrer 2021 Cabernet Franc Mendoza 750ml

The 2021 Cabernet Franc comes from Gualtallary in the Uco Valley and was aged for eight months in used 80% French and 20% American oak barrels. This is the first vintage to be released, and it's a dark garnet hue. Cherry, bay leaf, camphor and mint aromas appear on the nose. The palate is dry and grippy with a raw, fairly extractive character that needs time to achieve balance. This will continue to develop and improve in the bottle.

Score: 90 points -- Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous, 2023