Winemaker Notes
-Wine Advocate
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Released every 20 years, the 2004 Malbec Argentino is Alejandro Vigil’s first wine as head winemaker and first vintage of Catena Zapata, a 100% varietal, 100% whole cluster fermented wine from the Angelica Vineyard in Lunlunta and Nicasia Vineyard planted in 1996 in La Consulta, all old Catena Cuttings massal selection vines. Vigil was creating structure for the midpalate of the wine through the use of whole cluster fermentation, making it more in the style of a Pinot Noir than a Cabernet Sauvignon, looking for more freshness in the tannins. The wine was given 24 months in all new French oak and is still vibrantly fresh and aromatic, with a richness to the medium-bodied layers of velvety tannin.
Bodega Catena Zapata is one of Argentina's high-altitude Malbec pioneers. The Catena family began making wine in Mendoza in 1902. Nicolas Catena, third generation family vintner, was one of the first to see the potential of Mendoza's mountain vineyards for producing high quality Malbec. In 1994, he became the first Argentine to export a world-class bottling of Malbec under the Catena label. Nicolas is joined by his daughter, Dr. Laura Catena, in their relentless pursuit of world-class quality from the family's high-altitude vineyards. Laura has done extensive work in introducing Malbec and other varietal plant selections, soil and climate analysis, and sustainable practices throughout Mendoza. Head winemaker, Alejandro Vigil, has been at Catena Zapata since 2002 and works with Laura and Nicolas to make wines that express the family's vineyards and palate.
Most distinguished and celebrated from Argentina’s Mendoza, Malbec has seen runaway success since the early 2000s. Mendoza’s agreeable, continental climate with hot, dry summers and cold snowy winters allows the perfect conditions for growing outstanding Malbec. This grape is easy to like for its lusty, deep flavors and aromas of blackberry, plum, red cherry, autumn spice and tilled earth. It’s easy to find delicious, fruit-driven, affordable everyday examples and in prices beyond, quite exceptional ones with dense, supple textures that make them capable of aging.