March 2026
CATENA
Alta Malbec 2023
- 96 points -
The 2023 Malbec Alta blends grapes from Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. Harvested in one of the most challenging vintages for Luján de Cuyo, marked by late frost that reduces yields and a hot summer that accelerates ripening, it opens with plum, a balsamic edge, subtle background oak and a delicate floral lift. The palate is juicy and lightly grippy, with the slightly angular contour shared by several 2023 reds, yet it carries notable energy and forward drive. Crucially, there is no greenness here; instead, the wine feels alive and dynamic, pulsing with freshness and momentum despite the year’s difficulties.
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