2023 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino Mendoza 6pk 6x750ml

Founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena, Bodega Catena Zapata has spent four generations redefining what Argentine wine can be. When Nicolas Catena Zapata took the reins in the 1960s, he became obsessed with making wines that could compete with the best in the world — then proved it by pioneering high-altitude Malbec plantings and introducing European techniques to Mendoza. His family is credited with the renaissance of Malbec itself, transforming a forgotten French grape into Argentina's calling card. Today, under Laura Catena's leadership, the estate's historic Adrianna vineyard is called South America's grand cru.

Malbec Argentino is an equal blend of fruit from two of the family's most important sites: the Angelica Vineyard in Lunlunta and the Nicasia Vineyard in Paraje Altamira. The 2022 was fermented with whole clusters — a technique the bodega adopted in the early 2000s, treating Malbec more like Pinot Noir than Bordeaux, with shorter maceration to build texture and complexity. It matured in foudres and one-third new oak, then spent additional time in bottle before release.

The wine leads with a rich, savory nose of cassis, blueberries, violets, and a strong suggestion of soil. The palate is dense and sweet, gripping lightly with flavors of mocha, dark berries, spice, and minerals. Fine-grained tannins give it precision; the finish is palate-staining, dominated by sweet black and blue fruit. James Suckling called it "perfumed and seductive," awarding it 98 points and noting its "seamless, finely knit tannins" and "beautiful, lengthy finish."

This is Malbec that proves why Nicolas Catena Zapata planted at 5,000 feet and why the family's obsession with terroir matters. Pull the cork tonight — it's velvety now — or cellar it and watch it gain even more depth over the next decade.