- 94 points -
March 2019Lots of blackberry and blueberry character with a black-tea undertone. Turns to flowers. Medium to full body, fresh acidity and a long and gorgeous finish. Vivid and bright.
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CATENA
Malbec High Mountain Vines
2021
- Sustainable
- Vegan
Country
Argentina
Regulated designation
Geographical Indication (GI)
Region
Mendoza
Varietal(s)
Malbec
100 %
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
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...
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Product notes
The Catena wines are a special assemblage of High Mountain Estate Vineyards made by fourth generation vintner, Laura Catena and chief winemaker, Alejandro Vigil. From the marriage of these historic vineyards emerges a wine of unique character that has natural balance, concentration and a distinct varietal identity.
Press reviews
- 92 points -
April 2020This is a solid, focused malbec with tight, creamy tannins and plum and chocolate aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied. The tannins spread so nicely across the palate that they scarcely leave any trace.
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- 92 points -
Julie Sheppard, April 2022 (Vintage 2019)A blend of Malbec grapes from three high-altitude vineyards, ranging from 920m to 1,450m. Bright and juicy berry aromas: black cherry, blueberry and raspberry, prettily edged in violets. On the palate there's a mouthful of silky, ripe berries, balanced by high-altitude freshness, with rounded tannins. Spice and vanilla notes linger on the black cherry finish. Tons of drinking pleasure and such good value for money!
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- 92 points -
March 2021 (Vintage 2019)The excellent and floral 2019 Catena Malbec shows the typicity of the grape, violets and red berries, and the freshness of the year. It has the textbook aromas and a soft and velvety mouthfeel, with very fine grainy tannins
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- 92 points -
September 2022 (Vintage 2021)The 2021 Malbec Catena is a blend of grapes from the Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza and was aged for up to eight months in varied use barrels. Purple in the glass. The nose presents notes of fresh plum, herbs and hints of violet against an oaky backdrop. Creamy on the palate with mild freshness and an expansive flow, the year has added a touch more fresh fruit at the back of the mouth. A subtle wine.
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- 91 points -
October 2020A Malbec from Mendoza, made with grapes from the Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo, that spent 12 months in French barrels. Purplish red in the glass. The nose features plums and herbs over a faint bed of wood and sweet spices. The soft, terse palate contains muscular, polished tannins that fully occupy the mouth. The freshness is key, bringing life without getting overly tense. A tasty wine.
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- 91 points -
May 2022 (Vintage 2021)Aromas of plums, dark cherries, blueberries, tar and crushed stones. It’s medium-bodied with round, velvety tannins. Dark-fruited and smooth.
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- 91 points -
November 2022 (Vintage 2021)The juicy and young 2021 Catena Malbec has a nice combination of spice, berry and herbs to make it balanced, expressive and attractive. It's round, velvety and nicely crafted in an easy to understand and highly drinkable style and a commercial profile. A champion in drinkability.
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- 91 points -
April 2021The berry and floral character comes through clearly on the nose and palate with a medium body, a medium-tannin backbone and a dark-walnut aftertaste.
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- 91 points -
Anthony Gismondi, August 2021Catena’s High Mountain Malbec is a blend of high-altitude, family-owned vineyards. The precision you taste results from Laura Catena and chief winemaker Alejandro Vigil blending three sites at Lunlunta, Maipù, El Cipillo, Eugenio Bustos and Gualtallary, Tupungato. The 2019 growing season was solid and dry, yielding smaller berries and low yields left the wines bright and ripe — a great combination for Malbec. Look for attractive red/black fruits with a touch of mocha, toasted oak and superb balance — fine value most every year.
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- 90 points -
March 2021 (Vintage 2020)The 2020 Catena Malbec shows plenty of roasted notes, toast and ripe fruit, the result of a warmer and riper vintage in 225-liter oak barrels. It reveals a soft and velvety texture, juicy fruit and polished tannins. It finishes dry and surprisingly more austere than I anticipated
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- 90 points -
May 2021 (Vintage 2020)The Catenas are old hands at producing Malbecs that combine different terroirs in Mendoza – El Cepillo, Lunlunta and Gualtallary in this instance. Sweet, supple and soft, with violet, fennel and blackberry flavours and a sheen of oak spices.
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- 90 points -
April 2021Catena’s High Mountain Malbec is a blend of high-altitude, family owned vineyards situated in Maipú, Lujan de Cuyo, Tupungato and San Carlos. Two-thousand-and-eighteen is a good year, and you sense it as soon as the wine hits your palate. The precision you taste is a reflection of its mix of sites. Eighty-year-old vines in Lunlunta (Maipù) Vineyard lend soft, sweet textures. In Agrelo Vineyard (Luján de Cuyo), the Catena cuttings throw spice. The cold nights in Altamira (San Carlos) Vineyard lend bright, crisp acidity, and the intense sunshine in Gualtallary (Tupungato) Vineyard yields floral aromatics and structure. Simply a delicious mix of red and black fruits sprayed with umami deliciousness and finished with a touch of mocha-flavoured toasted oak. Turkey is an amazing match, but grilled steak is a more likely summer fare. Two-thousand-eighteen is Year 24 for a label now a million miles from where it began.
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