Argentino Malbec 2021 (Catena Zapata)

Drink now or cellar for up to 16 years. No need to decant before serving. Today the Catena family have an international reputation for their delicious Malbec wines which are crafted from top quality grapes grown at high altitude. The family have been making wine in Argentina for four generations, although they only gained significant recognition in the 1990s when Nicolas Catena’s single varietal Malbec began to be exported around the globe. Together with his daughter, Laura, Nicolas has studied Mendoza’s sub-regions and high altitude vineyards for decades and helped unlock the region’s exceptional viticultural potential. Their limited production Malbec Argentino is crafted from the best estate vineyards, Nicasia and Angelica, which are planted at the foot of the Andes Mountains at 1095 and 920 metres respectively. The vines here are attentively tended aby hand and give very low yields which produce remarkably concentrated and intensely-flavoured grapes. The grapes are fermented in small lots in new French oak barrels and the young wine is then fermented in new French oak barrels for 24 months. On the nose there are hints of violets, cassis and blueberries while the palate offers rich dark fruit flavours, smooth tannins and a firm structure which will respond well to cellaring over the next decade. It can also be enjoyed now and is best paired with hearty dishes such as steak, beef stews, or barbecued meats.