- 95 points -

A stunning Malbec that combines fruit from the two best appellations in the Uco Valley - Paraje Altamira and Gualtallary - this is a heady, aromatic, thrillingly well-balanced red with notes of tangerine, fennel and blackberry fruit, filigree tannins and stylish oak.

- 95 points -

Amazing depth and intensity to this old-vine malbec with blackberry and black-licorice character to the wine. Violets, too. It’s full and dense, yet remains energetic and long. Polished, refined tannins. A gorgeous, plush red. Drinkable now for its generosity, but let it mellow with a few years of bottle age.

- 94 points -

Baked blueberries, dark cherries, toasted hazelnuts, vanilla, tea leaves and mocha on the nose. It’s full-bodied with firm, velvety tannins. Creamy and polished. Compact and plush, yet fresh and vibrant at the finish. 

- 94 points -

Blueberries and black tea with volcanic salt and violets on the nose and palate Medium to full body and fine, silky tannins. Savory finish. Drink or hold.

- 94 points -

#42 - Top 100 Cellar Selection of 2018

Pure berry and cassis aromas are concentrated and show no holes. This Uco Valley Malbec feels pure, direct and linear, albeit with slightly scratchy tannins that should dissipate in due time. Blackberry and dry spice flavors finish full and grabby, with muscularity. 

- 94 points -

By far the best Malbec I’ve tasted from Laura Catena’s personal project, this combines fruit from La Consulta, Gualtallary and Altamira. It’s a nuanced, focused wine that showcases the skills of winemaker Estela Perinetti, exhibiting lovely balance, acidity and peppery, blueberry notes. 2017-24

- 94 points -

Full-bodied Argentine Malbec with lots of attractive mocha and chocolate on the nose from generous oak aging. Fleshy black fruit emerges on the palate. Delicious and layered. The grapes for this robust red wine come from three vineyards in the Uco Valley in Altamira, La Consulta and Gualtallary. The vines are an average 46 years old. The wine is then matured for 16 months in French oak, 60% of which is new.

- 93 points -

#4 ENTHUSIAST 100 2020

Concentrated black-fruit aromas alongside hints of cardamom and coriander open this lush Malbec. Blackberry, cassis and dark plum flavors are pure and agile on the palate. Enjoy through 2024. 

- 93 points -

Very suave and polished, with ripe, pure flavors of blackberry, hoisin sauce and black pepper. Finely textured, this is packed with tar and roasted plum notes, showing plenty of licorice snap and dark chocolate accents on the powerful finish. Best after 2020. 7,000 cases imported.

- 93 points -

#21 TOP 100 WINES OF 2021

Unctuous and fine-grained flavors of dark currant and ripe cherry are supported by medium-grained tannins in this red, which is creamy midpalate, with concentrated chocolate mousse notes on the finish.

- 93 points -

Full-bodied with lots of attractive mocha and chocolate on the nose from generous oak aging. Fleshy black fruit emerges on the palate. Delicious and layered. The grapes for this full-bodied red wine come from three vineyards in the Uco Valley in Altamira, La Consulta and Gualtallary. The vines are an average 46 years old. the wine is then matured for 16 months in French oak, 60% of which is new. Pair with prime rib.

- 93 points -

A rich and fresh red with dried berry, milk chocolate, spice and walnut. Full body, velvety tannins and a savory finish. From old vines in Consulta.

- 93 points -

A great range of aromas from flowers through smoke to elderberries, pull you into this powerful, structured yet graceful malbec in which the fine-grained tannins are already beautifully integrated, gently turning ever drier through the long, polished finish. Mostly from old vines in Altamira, plus some wine from higher-altitude vineyards.

- 93 points -

A complex red, with an undercurrent of river stone to the orange peel and mountain herb notes that meld with rooibos tea and Rainer cherry flavors on a richly textured frame, while a gentle nudge of fresh acidity carries everything onto the finish around fine tannins and notes of dark chocolate.

- 93 points -

Saturated bright ruby. Lively aromas of blackberry, licorice pastille and violet. Richer, deeper and weightier than the Malbec Paraje Altamira, offering smooth flavors of blackberry, blueberry, violet and dark chocolate. Finishes compellingly sweet, with supple tannins and lingering black fruits and chocolate--and without any loss of focus or energy. Great Malbec for the price--or any price!

- 92 points -

The 2021 Old Vine Malbec is floral, aromatic, balanced, fresh and varietal with notes of violets and small berries. It has integrated oak and a tender mouthfeel with a medium body and fine tannins.

- 92 points -

The 2019 Old Vine Malbec comes from old ungrafted vineyards irrigated by traditional flood irrigation in the Uco Valley in Mendoza. It's a floral, juicy and varietal Malbec with nicely integrated oak and a lively palate with pungent flavors, vibrant acidity and fine and round tannins. 180,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2020.

- 92 points -

The Luca wines are the passion of Laura Catena, and the name of her son. Laura was instrumental in the push toward making small quantities of terroir-based wine as a natural extension of Catena’s years of research into Mendoza’s high altitude vineyards Uco Valley's La Consulta and Gualtallary. The grapes are hand-harvested, aged 14 months in 35 percent new French oak and 65 percent used barrels. In the super cool year of 2016, it is the floral, mineral highlights that dominate, giving this label a real sense of malbec purity. The tannins are highly refined, dense and sweet, settingthe stage for spicy, coffee, cocoa flecked fruit with terrific acidity. Longer and more linear than in warm years, this bottle is very food-friendly. Think wild game, steak, lamb, and medium-strong cheeses. Good value.

- 92 points -

Full-bodied with lots of attractive mocha and chocolate on the nose from generous oak aging. Fleshy black fruit emerges on the palate. Delicious and layered. The grapes for this full-bodied red wine come from three vineyards in the Uco Valley in Altamira, La Consulta and Gualtallary. The vines are an average 46 years old. the wine is then matured for 16 months in French oak, 60% of which is new. Pair with prime rib.

- 92 points -

(14 months in 50% new and 50% once-used French oak barrels; from ungrafted 46-year-old vines): Bright ruby-red. Aromas of black cherry and bitter chocolate accented by an herbal note. Concentrated and deeply fruity, with an intense blackberry flavor complicated by a saline quality. Showing no overt sweetness but quite suave and fine-grained, finishing with firm tannins and lingering dark fruits. -Stephen Tanzer

- 92 points -

- 91 points -

A Malbec made from a combination of grapes from the Uco Valley that spent 14 months aging in French barrels, 35% of them new. Remarkably purple in the glass. The delicate, fruity nose ranges from sour cherry to blackberry with hints of syrup and mint. A very interesting wine, it is sugary but presents a firm, fleshy palate, tacky tannins and a juicy flow with a pleasantly contained freshness. The finish is long and flavorful and followed by a teasing aftertaste.

- 91 points -

The 2020 Old Vine Malbec comes from old ungrafted vineyards irrigated by traditional flood irrigation in the Uco Valley in Mendoza. It combines ripe berry fruit with sweet spices in an approachable and commercial way. It's floral and juicy with a soft palate denoting the ripeness of a warm and dry year and fine and round tannins.

- 90 points -

Bright ruby. Vibrant scents of dark berries, bitter chocolate and violet...the intense black fruit and bitter chocolate flavors are palate-saturating and satisfying. The pliant finish features substantial broad, lush tannins. (a blend of vineyards)

- 90 points -

Lithe, with red cherry and dried raspberry flavors that feature hints of hot stone. Medium-grained tannins provide grip on the juicy, well-spiced finish. Drink now through 2024. 7,000 cases made, 7,000 cases imported

- 89 points -

Vibrant and filled with juicy and concentrated flavors of red currant, blackberry and plum. Delivers loads of fresh acidity, presenting a zesty finish that offers spice and smoke hints. Drink now through 2019.