2012 Malbec Catena Alta
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Tasting notes
(aged in 20% new oak, vs. just 10% for the basic Malbec): Bright ruby-red. Blackberry, cassis and licorice aromas are lifted by a violet note on the perfumed nose. Juicy and pungent on the palate, conveying lovely perfume and inner-mouth tension to the flavors of cranberry, licorice, minerals and flowers. Still a bit youthfully imploded but the wine's sugar/acid balance is exhilarating. Very sappy, energetic and tightly coiled. Winemaker Alejandro Vigil is trying to obtain more red fruits than black, as well as trying to preserve the elegance of Malbec florals by giving his vines more protection from intense sun. He also vinified this wine--but not his Cabernet Sauvignon--with 70% whole clusters.
Critic scores
Average Score
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
I was truly impressed by the 2012 Catena Alta Malbec, a blend of wines produced with Malbec grapes from different zones within Mendoza. The nose shows incredible freshness (early harvest?) and a mixture of violets, blueberries and bright red cherries and is also subtly spiced. The seamless palate shows very refined tannins, a velvety texture and great acidity. It has a really tasty and lengthy finish. A triumph over the vintage. Bravo! 60,000 bottles produced.
I was truly impressed by the 2012 Catena Alta Malbec, a blend of wines produced with Malbec grapes from different zones within Mendoza. The nose shows incredible freshness (early harvest?) and a mixture of violets, blueberries and bright red cherries and is also subtly spiced. The seamless palate shows very refined tannins, a velvety texture and great acidity. It has a really tasty and lengthy finish. A triumph over the vintage. Bravo! 60,000 bottles produced. Aug 2015, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Bodega Catena Zapata has been instrumental both in the development of fine wine production in Argentina and in realising the full potential of the Malbec grape.