Achaval-Ferrer ticks lots of our boxes. Ancient, low yielding vines, high altitude freshness and large diurnal variation all help in giving complexity to these wines. 2015 was quite a challenge with a cold and dry winter although some intense frosts helped to bolster water reserves. Spring brought warm weather, which resulted in an early flowering. 2015 has been characterised as a very aromatic vintage in Mendoza, with excellent perfume and freshness.Altamira is the cornerstone of Achaval-Ferrer, the vineyard planted with 80 year old (plus) ungrafted vines at 1,050 metres above sea level. Semi-abandoned when discovered by the Achaval-Ferrer team in 1998, the six hectare Altamira vineyard is in La Consulta, 50 miles south of Mendoza. The soil is lime-sand, with volcanic ash over eroded rock.