Winemaker's Notes:
The 2005 Catena Malbec has a deep, dark violet color, with pronounced blackish-purple tones. The aromatic structure is full of ripe dark fruits, floral notes of violets and lavender, and touches of vanilla and spice. The palate begins with sweet black cherry fruits and has a generous texture. There are marked mineral notes as well as layers of chocolate and spicy black pepper. The finish is soft and sweet with ripe tannins and vibrant acidity.
"Catena’s 2005 Malbec was sourced from four vineyards, was aged for 12 months in 70% French oak, 20% new, and 30% new American oak, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep crimson-colored, it has an attractive perfume of cedar, pencil lead, mineral, and black cherry. Medium-bodied, it has a silky texture, serious depth and length for a wine of this price, well-concealed tannin, and a pure finish. Although it can be enjoyed now, this stylish Malbec will continue to improve with several more years in the bottle. It is a great value. When all is said and done, Catena Zapata is the Argentina winery of reference – the standard of excellence for comparing all others. The brilliant, forward-thinking Nicolas Catena remains in charge, with his daughter, Laura, playing an increasingly large role. The Catena Zapata winery is an essential destination for fans of both architecture and wine in Mendoza. It is hard to believe, given the surge in popularity of Malbec in recent years, that Catena Zapata only began exporting Malbec to the United States in 1994."
-Wine Advocate |
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Additional wines from Catena:
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About Catena:
In 1902, Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant, planted his first vineyard in Mendoza, Argentina. The winery has been in family hands for three generations. For the past two decades, owner, Nicolas Catena Zapata and his team of winemakers and viticulturalists have studied the different microclimates and terroirs of Mendoza to determine the best areas and vineyard techniques to grow the winery’s many varietals. Nicolas Catena Zapata believes that the terroir of Mendoza’s high altitude wine country (3,000 - 5,000 feet) is unique to the world. The temperature, low humidity and scarce rainfall create ideal conditions for making distinctive wines that can stand with the best in the world. In 2001, Nicolas Catena Zapata inaugurated a new winery inspired by Mayan architecture. The unprecedented, state-of-the-art winery is located at 3,100 feet above sea level in the heart of the 18 year old Uxmal vineyard. The winery was designed to embody the heritage and individuality of Mendoza’s wine country, while fulfilling Catena’s quest to place Argentine wines among the best in the world. |