Family vintners for over 100 years, the Catena's are recognized for their pioneering role in high-altitude viticulture and leading Argentina's Malbec revolution. In the 1950s, Don Domingo Catena began sourcing Malbec from the vineyards of Altamira in the Uco Valley. The combination of intense sunlight and cool nights yields an elegant Malbec with a deep texture and flavors. Sourced from their famed Nicasia and Angelica vineyards, this full-bodied Malbec is generally reserved for their Alta label, which is annually rated 94-96 points from all the major wine publications and now sells for $40+ a bottle. Very ripe with complex aromas of blackberry, black raspberry, and mocha with harmonious acidity, suave tannins and superb length, the Catena Altamira showcases just how elegant wines from Argentina can be. Now with a 95 point rating, nobody does Malbec like Catena!
"Fruit from the high-altitude, free-draining family vineyards of Nicasia and Angélica. 100% new French oak barrels using wild yeasts, with 80% whole berry fruit and 20% of the clusters left intact. The wine is then aged for 18 months before being bottled for release. Gently perfumed cherries, blackberries, dark chocolate. Excellent concentration and attractive savory complexity. Generous and juicy, bright cherry and blackcurrant; some claret-like cedar and a ruffle of ripe tannins. Super-stylish. Worldclass, simply delicious." Decanter Magazine, 95 Points
"So much orange peel to the dark berries and ripe fruit. But never over the top. Medium-to full-bodied with medium-round tannins and a savory finish. Just a hint of chocolate and walnut. Nice subtlety to the depth. Drink or hold." James Suckling, 94 Points
"Following the path of the 2018, the 2019 Appellation Paraje Altamira Malbec is phenomenal. It shows freshness, elegance, balance, complexity and nuance as well. It's seamless, precise and ethereal with lots of inner energy and light. As the 2018 was, it's expressive and floral, varietal and with the full chalky texture that is a distinct characteristic of Altamira. It's tasty, the tannins are polished and there is an almost salty sensation in the finish." The Wine Advocate, 93 Points