Cabernet Franc Appellation Series San Carlos 2019

CATENA

Cabernet Franc Appellation Series San Carlos
2019

  • Sustainable

$34.13*

* Suggested retail price

87 case(s) available

Product code
779635
Format
12 x 750ml
Listing type
Private Retail - Special Order
Status
Available
Type of product
Still wine
Country
Argentina
Regulated designation
Geographical Indication (GI)
Region
Valle de Uco
Varietal(s)
Cabernet Franc 100 %
Colour
Red
Closure type
Cork
Producer's website

About this winery

At heart, Catena is a story about family. Family who poured their lives, passion and spirit into transforming scrub-laden desert into some of the most beautiful and unique vineyards in the world. Family that passed their knowledge from generation to generation, blending collective memory with state-of-the-art science from the new world of viticulture. Family who, through risk-taking, faith and a little luck, transformed their treasured Mendoza terroir into the fountainhead of the award-winning...

See the CATENA detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

Family vintners for over 100 years, the Catenas are recognized for their pioneering role in high-altitude viticulture in Argentina. This Cabernet Franc is sourced from the family´s historic vineyards in San Carlos. Here, the sandy-loam soils and mountainous climate yield a wine with concentrated ripe red berries, a touch of eucalyptus and black pepper, robust tannins and smooth lengthy finish.

Tasting notes

Elegant aromas of spices and fresh herbs, thyme, rosemary, red berries, cassis and raspberries, with layers of cedar on the nose. The mouthfeel is full and rich with cassis and raspberry flavors accompanied by notes of black pepper and oregano. The finish is bright and fresh with finely grained tannins.

Press reviews

Wine Advocate

- 93 points -

November 202 (Vintage 2021)

The peppery, spicy ad elegant 2019 Appellation San Carlos Cabernet Franc is fresh, varietal, nuanced and complex while keeping the alcohol to a moderate 13.6%, which makes it attractive and easy to drink, with nice balance and very fine tannins. I usually like the precision and symmetry in this lively wine that has a velvety mouthfeel.

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James Suckling

- 92 points -

April 2021

Dark berries, such as blackberries, with hints of lemon grass and violets on the nose, following through to a medium body with fine tannins and a fresh, bright finish. Pretty balance to this. Supple.

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Descorchados

- 92 points -

August 2021 (Vintage 2019)

The San Carlos Vineyard in the Uco Valley, near the foot of the Andes, is rich in sand and calcareous deposits and that’s evident in this cabernet franc, a variety that seems to be very comfortable at those heights (more than 1,000 meters up) and in those mountain desert conditions in Uco, in southern Mendoza. The tannins have the texture of chalk, while the flavors are ripe and tempered by the local sun. The herbal notes of cabernet franc appear toward the end of the finish, providing freshness and complexity

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James Suckling

- 92 points -

May 2022 (Vintage 2020)

This has a fruity nose of ripe blueberries, cherries, blackberries, dark chocolate and currant leaves. Medium-to full-bodied with bright acidity and finely knit tannins. Fleshy and flavorful. Zesty finish.

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Vinous

- 92 points -

November 2021 (Vintage 2020)

The 2020 Cabernet Franc Catena Appellation San Carlos is made with grapes from three vineyards planted in alluvial soils rich in calcium carbonate and aged for eight months in French barrels. The attractive nose presents ripe redcurrant with hints of country herb, mint and a touch of jalapeño followed by subtle aromas from the aging process. The compact palate offers chalky tannins and a very finely grained texture. A precise freshness adds energy in the mouth and enhances the juiciness

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Wine Advocate

- 92 points -

March 2021 (Vintage 2020)

The 2020 Appellation San Carlos Cabernet Franc shows more freshness than the majority of other 2020. It has contained ripeness and moderate acidity, but the sensation of freshness goes beyond the acidity reading. It shows varietal character, peppery and spicy, with very fine tannins. 60,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in October and November 2020 after eight months in French oak barrels.

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James Suckling

- 92 points -

April 2023 (Vintage 2021)

A very juicy cabernet franc with fresh red cherries, olives and spice box. Very expressive and chalky on the palate with a medium body and a linear finish. Some white pepper at the end.

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Vinous

- 92 points -

September 2022 (Vintage 2021)

The 2021 Cabernet Franc Catena Appellation San Carlos spent eight months in a third new barrels. Garnet red in hue. The aromas feature ash, hints of bell pepper, jalapeño, jam and chutney. It’s well put together on the palate with a compact, slightly unctuous flow that lingers at its leisure. The finish is a repeat of the nose.

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Vinous

- 91 points -

October 2020 (Vintage 2019)

A Cabernet Franc from San Carlos in the Uco Valley, aged in 35% French oak. A wine born of the sun and the cold, offering aromas of raspberry and sour cherry contained within cigar box notes. Smooth on the palate, delivering well-calibrated freshness and firm, fine, grippy tannins that emphasize an open, diaphanous expression with just a little hint of chalk. A flavorful wine.

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Vinous

- 90 points -

Stephen Tanzer, September 2019 (Vintage 2018)

A rich, dark-plum and purple-berry nose here with violets and spiced currants, as well as freshly baked biscuits. The palate has such clarity and openness with smoothly delivered, fresh, ripe plums at the gently spicy finish. Drink now.

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