2012 was a warmer, riper vintage than 2013 in Mendoza, but it shows little in the 2012 Malbec Finca Bella Vista. Perhaps the only hint could be that the fruit from riper vintages takes the oak in a different way and curiously enough the 2012 shows more oak influence than the 2013. There is a great combination of floral and fresh characters and the Mediterranean profile with some aromas of dried herbs. The palate reveals a serious wine with grainy tannins that add an elegant rusticity. Again, the only problem here is having the 2013 next to this great 2012. Achával-Ferrer has produced its best collection of wines in 2013, with a superb showing of the ugly duckling, Finca Mirador, that usually suffers in comparison with Bella Vista and Altamira early on. But Santiago Achával tells me it's a winner in the long run. In this 2013, the Mirador even challenges Altamira! Splitting hairs anyway.