Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino 2022

Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino is a flagship red from the Catena family, a name central to the modern history of Argentine wine. It is made entirely from Malbec grown in Mendoza, where vineyards climb the foothills of the Andes. Altitude is the key here: the high, sunny sites give deep colour and ripe fruit, while the cold nights hold on to acidity and freshness, the wide diurnal range that lets Malbec ripen fully without turning heavy. Soils of stony alluvial gravel over sand drain freely and keep yields modest, concentrating the fruit. The wine is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, which rounds the tannins through slow oxygen exchange and adds vanilla and a fine spice to the dark fruit. The colour is deep violet-red. The nose opens with violets, ripe plum and blackberry, backed by vanilla and cocoa from the barrel. The palate is full and ripe, with soft, polished tannins and a long, fruit-driven finish. Decant for an hour and serve at 17 degrees in a large glass. It is a natural match for grilled and roasted red meats and hard cheeses.