Winemaker Notes
No matter what the vintage, this wine is really more than 100 years old. It represents a family's journey to produce an Argentine Malbec that can stand with the great wines of the world.
Aromas of cassis, blackberries, and distinct notes of earth. Gripping flavors of mocha, dark berries, minerality, and spice blend with lightly saline notes and velvety tannins.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This has an intriguing combination of violets, crushed stones, underripe plums and a subtle touch of pepper on the nose. The palate is firm, with blue fruit, tight focused tannins and impressive concentration and depth. Structured yet long and beautiful. So harmonious. Drink now or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A decidedly riper and more forward style than many of Catena Zapata's offerings, the 2023 Malbec Argentino combines ungrafted massal selections from two polar-opposite vineyard sources: the Angélica Vineyard in Maipú's Lunlunta district and Paraje Altamira's Nicasia Vineyard. It was vinified entirely in foudre with 20% whole clusters and aged for 12 months. The nose is deep and dark-fruited, welcomely lifted by a lovely floral component that builds with oxygen exposure. On the palate, it is velvety and rich yet impressively buoyant, transitioning to an explosive, ripe and powerful finish dominated by luscious fruits.
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Vinous
The 2023 Malbec Argentino is intense on the nose, with defined, clear and expressive red fruit aromas of cherry and plum. This has fine-grained tannins, soft, chalky texture and compact grip. The finish is all fruit, juicy and bright. The 2023 handles the vintage with vibrant energy.
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.
Celebrated for its bold flavors and supple texture, Malbec has enjoyed runaway success in Argentina since the late 20th century. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, where it historically contributed color and tannin to blends. A French agronomist, who saw great potential for the variety in Mendoza’s hot, high-altitude landscape, brought Malbec to Argentina in 1868. Somm Secret—If you’re trying to please a crowd, Malbec is generally a safe bet with its combination of dense fruit and soft tannins.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.