I love the top note, floral-violet aspect of this wine - driven by the blending components from the high elevation Adrianna vineyard in Gualtallary at nearly 1500 meters, planted in 1992, as a tasting of individual lots before the final assemblage made clear. The coolest vineyard in the Catena portfolio, I also consider Adrianna to be the top cru. It usually represents about 40% of the final blend in the Alta malbec, according to winemaker Ernesto Bajda. The deep base notes and tannic backbone come from the Nicasia Vineyard, while Angélica and La Pirámide deliver the sweet-fruited mid-palate. The result here is a malbec of uncommon richness and complexity, and, most importantly, balance, with surprising acids and modest-integrated barrel influence. This latter point has been one of the biggest changes at Catena in the past few years, shifting from an exaggerated 200% new wood to a far more sensible 40% or so. Length is very good to excellent. This is still very young and fruity, of course, probably about 2-3 years away from prime enjoyment. Fine wine.
John Zsabo, October 2015