Catena Zapata Malbec "Argentino Vineyard" 2018

Bodega Catena Zapata is one of Argentina's high-altitude Malbec pioneers. The Catena family began making wine in Mendoza in 1902. Nicolas Catena, a 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.

97 Points - James Suckling

This is a really contrastive, rich and energetic malbec with crushed berries, as well as peaches and orange peel. Full body and soft tannins, yet always fresh and vivid.

95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate     

I had two outstanding vintages to compare the Malbec Argentino, of which the 2018 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino feels a tad riper than the 2019. There is a little more of Angelica in this blend, as it mixes grapes from different places in Mendoza that fermented with long macerations and some 30% full clusters and matured in 500-litre oak barrels. Despite everything, it has contained ripeness, a medium to full body with moderate alcohol and good freshness. This is a little more opulent than the wines from Gualtallary, a little more powerful. 24,000 bottles were produced. It was bottled in November 2019.