Achával-Ferrer Quimera Wins Again

I have really been spreading the word on this wine via a few blind tastings lately. About 3 weeks ago Quimera one another blind tasting. Last night 7 people tried these 3 wines and the scoring went down like this. I had opened these 3 days prior (2 on the Quimera) and I picked Quimera as my favorite as well. 3 points for first, 2 for second and 1 for third. Really close scoring but when you look at price not even close.

Quimera: 3+3+2+2+2+2+1 (15 points) Price $28.00

Leoville: 3+3+3+2+1+1+1 (14 points) Price $110.00

Mark Ryan: 3+3+2+2+1+1+1 (13 points) Price: $65.00

• 2020 Achával-Ferrer Quimera – Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo (3/5/2026)
  Day 1: Glasvin Universal. Some user giving this 72 points. Is this a joke? Anyway this is one of the best wines under $30 and the reason I have bought 3 cases and will buy 3 more cases. Cherry, blueberries, coffee beans, dried flowers, minerals and spice. These always improve with some air. 93 points
  Day 2: So served this blind tonight and beat out 2020 Leoville Barton and 2019 Mark Ryan Dead Horse. This is for sure one of the best wines under $30. 94 points
  Recommendation: Great and buy! (94 points)

• 2019 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Dead Horse – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (3/4/2026)
  Day 1: Glasvin Universal Stem. Durand opener. Great wine on the pop and pour. Balanced with cherry, plum, spices, coffee beans, wood, minerals, blueberries and menthol. Loving this wine. Serving it blind on day 3 against a few others. 94 points
  Day 2: I find these way better than the overprice Quilceda Creek wines. Try one blind next time against Quilceda. Earth, coffee beans, wood, spices, blueberries, chocolate, smoke, leather and menthol. Super concentrated and long finish. Outstanding quality. 94.5 points
  Day 3: This finished 2nd in a blind tasting vs. 2020 Chateau Leoville Barton and 2020 Achával-Ferrer Quimera. This is drinking really well with blueberries, cherry, smoke, leather, menthol and wood. As one taster said young and I agree and a little heat on day 3. 94 points
  Recommendation: For sure Dead Horse is a really solid offering. (94 points)

• 2020 Château Léoville Barton – France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien (3/4/2026)
  Day 1: Glasvin Universal Stem. Natural cork. Well there is a lot going on and for sure will need the full 3 day treatment. Tight with wood, cherry, earth, cigar, mint, gravel and pencil lead. Medium plus finish. Rating withheld at the moment but around 90 points
  Day 2: Still can’t really give this a score. I have tasted many vintages and really not digging this right now. How anyone can give this much more than 92 is beyond me. Don’t rate potential rate what it currently is. Cigar, earth, plastic taste, gravel, pencil lead and blue currants. This has not come together and maybe less enjoyable then day 1. I would return this at a restaurant. NR
  Day 3: On day 3 served this blind and it finished last against 2020 Achával-Ferrer Quimera and 2019 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Dead Horse. This is just not doing it for me and regret buying 2 more bottles. Boring wine with wood, cherry, earth, floral and spice. Lacks the character of other vintages of Leoville Barton.. 90 points
  Recommendation: Pass on this vintage. The fact no improvement over 3 days is concerning and I have had a number of 2020s that are amazing as from that vintage they should be. (90 points)