Alcohol: 13.5%
Grape(s): 75% Malbec, 19% Bonarda, 6% Petit Verdot
Localization: Mendoza, Argentina
Tasting Notes: Black fruit and flowers from Uco Valley Malbec laced with spicy Petit Verdot. Malbec lends freshness and smoothness, while Petit Verdot grants volume and persistence, conferring a lush, rich attack and wonderful length to the blend.
Notes: Aged in French oak barrels for 12-14 months before bottling and was aged in the bottle for at least 10 additional months before release.
94 Points - James Suckling: An alluring array of ripe red-berry and plum aromas with a floral, violet-like edge and appealing oak influence, too. The palate has a very plush, open feel with a medium body and a fresh, juicy finish. Poached red-berry finish. So charming. Discreetly brilliant blending at work here. A blend of malbec 75%, bonarda 19%, and petit verdot 6%. Drink now.
The Domain: Don Domingo Vicente Catena, Nicolas Catena Zapata's father, was famous in the 1930's for his deep dark red wine blend. This blend was sold in the French-styled bistros of Buenos Aires - the Paris of South America - as the finest wine from the Mendoza region. This wine, DV Catena Tinto Historico Red Blend, is made in honor of Don Domingo Catena and his legendary abilities as a Master of the Assemblage. The Catena wines are a special assemblage of High Mountain Estate Vineyards made by fourth generation vintner, Laura Catena and chief winemaker, Alejandro Vigil. Although we have found that most of the Catena wines are consumed shortly after release, we are pleased to see that they age beautifully for ten to twenty years.
Through decades of study and exploration within Mendoza's high altitude mountain terroirs, the Catena family has identified special locations for its Estate vineyards. From the marriage of these historic vineyards emerges a wine of unique character that has natural balance, concentration and a distinct varietal identity.
Catena wines are a special assemblage of High Mountain Estate Vineyards made by fourth generation vintner, Laura Catena and chief winemaker, Alejandro Vigil. Although we have found that most of the Catena wines are consumed shortly after release, we are pleased to see that they age beautifully for ten to twenty years. Through decades of study and exploration within Mendoza's high altitude mountain terroirs, the Catena family has identified special locations for its Estate vineyards. From the marriage of these historic vineyards emerges a wine of unique character that has natural balance, concentration and a distinct varietal identity.
Bodega Catena Zapata is one of Argentina's high altitude Malbec pioneers. The Catena family began making wine in Mendoza in 1902. Nicolas Catena, third generation family vintner, was one of the first to see the potential of Mendoza's mountain vineyards for producing high quality Malbec. In 1994, he became the first Argentine to exprot a world-class bottling of Malbec under the Catena label. Nicolas is joined by his daughter, Dr. Laura Catena, in their relentless pursuit of world-class quality from the family's high altitude vineyards. Laura has done extensive work in introducing Malbec and other varietal plant selections, soil and climate analysis, and sustainable practices throughout Mendoza. Head winemaker, Alejandro Vigil, has been at Catena Zapata since 2002 and works with Laura and Nicolas to make wines that express the family's vineyards and palate.
