The Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino shows a saturated dark violet color with ruby reflections; the nose offers cassis, blueberries and violets, along with a strong suggestion of soil tones. It combines density and sweetness on the one hand, with gripping, lightly saline flavors of mocha, dark berries, spice, and minerals; a palate-staining finish dominated by sweet black and blue fruits.
Pairs well with lamb chops, beef tenderloin, and goat cheese.
Professional Ratings
98 Points James Suckling
Perfumed and seductive nose of purple plums, blueberries, dried roses, violets, lemon zest, chocolate, truffles and cigar box. It’s full-bodied, yet so elegant and weightless. Seamless, finely knit tannins. Beautiful, lengthy finish. Try from 2024.
94 Points Wine & Spirits
This wine hails from a mass selection of ungrafted malbec planted during the 1920s in the Angélica Vineyard; the original plant material arrived from France before that country’s 19th century bout with phylloxera. It ferments in new French oak, including 20 percent as whole bunches, pointing up the purple-blue-black fruit complexity that grounds the wine while an airy, coffee-like edge adds levity. Rich and intense but not heavy, this will reward years of cellaring, but it’s hard to feel too bad about opening a bottle now when the wine tastes this good.
The Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino shows a saturated dark violet color with ruby reflections; the nose offers cassis, blueberries and violets, along with a strong suggestion of soil tones. It combines density and sweetness on the one hand, with gripping, lightly saline flavors of mocha, dark berries, spice, and minerals; a palate-staining finish dominated by sweet black and blue fruits.
Pairs well with lamb chops, beef tenderloin, and goat cheese.
Professional Ratings
98 Points James Suckling
Perfumed and seductive nose of purple plums, blueberries, dried roses, violets, lemon zest, chocolate, truffles and cigar box. It’s full-bodied, yet so elegant and weightless. Seamless, finely knit tannins. Beautiful, lengthy finish. Try from 2024.
94 Points Wine & Spirits
This wine hails from a mass selection of ungrafted malbec planted during the 1920s in the Angélica Vineyard; the original plant material arrived from France before that country’s 19th century bout with phylloxera. It ferments in new French oak, including 20 percent as whole bunches, pointing up the purple-blue-black fruit complexity that grounds the wine while an airy, coffee-like edge adds levity. Rich and intense but not heavy, this will reward years of cellaring, but it’s hard to feel too bad about opening a bottle now when the wine tastes this good.
