About the Wine

During the 1990s, Bodega Catena Zapata set new standards for Argentine wine. In an effort to produce a super-premium wine, the winemaking team of Catena began an in-depth investigation into the yields from specially selected, high-altitude vineyards, identifying the individual lots that produce the best fruit. These vines undergo a careful thinning process, leaving only a select few clusters, resulting in remarkably complex, aromatic, and flavorful fruit. 

The founder of Catena Zapata, Dr. Nicolás Catena Zapata, is a legend. In 2022, he received the "Lifetime Achievement Award" by Wine Enthusiast. World-renowned wine critic, Jancis Robinson, says "Nicolás Catena Zapata is justly credited with putting Argentinean wines on the world map—by the best expedient of focusing entirely on quality. It's great to know he has started a wine dynasty, too." 

Catena Zapata's winemakers, Laura Catena, and Alejandro Vigil are two of the most emblematic names in the wine industry in Argentina and around the world. 

Laura is a big name in the wine industry and one of the most celebrated vintners worldwide. She’s the current director of the family estate Catena Zapata, where she has made impressive improvements in all areas. The Washington Post said "Since Laura Catena took over the leadership of the winery and began to produce wines, Catena wines are increasingly unique and expressive. Catena Zapata wines are currently among the best in the world."

She was named one of the "Top 25 Wine Innovators" by Grape Collective, one of the “World’s Top Women Vintners” by The Oprah Magazine, and was called “the face of Argentinian wine” by Travel and Leisure.

Alejandro Vigil is a master of crafting, as well as a man who likes to push boundaries. He's an anarchistic, revolutionary, and visionary winemaker who has managed to produce some of the best Argentinian wines the world has ever seen; many of his wines have very high accolades, including some 100pt scores. 

Aging: 12 months in French oak barrels. 

Tasting Notes: 100% Malbec. The nose shows intense aromas of ripe red fruit flavors interwoven with spices notes like black pepper, thyme, and curry, with layers of cedar. The mouthfeel is rich with layers of cassis flavors and notes of black pepper, clove, leather, and tobacco. The finish is bright and fresh with finely-grained tannins.

Reviews

Ripe-plum, blueberry, lavender, sandalwood and stone aromas. It’s full-bodied with rounded tannins and a creamy, velvety texture. So smooth and supple with layers of pure blue fruit and minerals. Seamless. Drink now or hold. ~94 James Suckling

DV Catena Malbec is a sort of small homage to the Malbecs from the so-called Primera Zona, the traditional Mendoza vineyards located just north and south of the Mendoza River. The style of the malbecs of the place is usually broad, mature, but not in this case. Here the winemaker Alejandro Vigil has chosen Lunlunta and Agrelo as main components, although he has harvested the grapes earlier in order to obtain fresher, redder fruits. The effect is delicious, showing another, more tense side of the area, more nervous and refreshing. A different interpretation for the place that was the origin of the first Malbec from Argentina to the world. ~94 Descorchados

***Free Shipping on 6 or More Bottles of This Wine***