Catena Appellation La Consulta Malbec 2023

Catena Zapata is the family that led the revival of Malbec in Argentina, and this Appellation bottling comes from La Consulta, a cool, high-altitude district within the Uco Valley in Mendoza. La Consulta sits high in the Andean foothills on stony, alluvial soils that drain freely and limit yields. Altitude is the key: strong mountain sunlight ripens the Malbec fully, while cold nights hold on to acidity and build the deep colour and floral aromatics typical of the site. The wine ages twelve months in barrel, where measured oxygen exchange through the wood firms the tannin and adds vanilla, spice and a cedar frame around the fruit. The colour is a deep purplish red. The nose opens with ripe cherry and plum, joined by sweet spice, vanilla and a turned-earth note, and the palate is full and structured, the dark fruit carried on firm, ripe tannin with liquorice and pepper through a long finish. At 13.5 percent it stays balanced rather than heavy. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant. It suits grilled and roast red meat, ribs and aged hard cheese.