Family vintners for over 100 years, the Catena’s are recognized internationally for their pioneering role in high-altitude viticulture and leading Argentina’s Malbec revolution. In the 1950s, Don Domingo Catena began sourcing from the now famed vineyards of Altamira in the Uco Valley. This single appellation Malbec is sourced from their Nicasia and Angelica vineyards, generally reserved for their Alta Malbec label, which now sells for $50+ a bottle. Dark & inky the fine, attractive aromatic profile features fresh plum with violets and red berries. In a warm and dry year, it only reached 13.5% alcohol, and manages to keep its fresh, varietal charecter. With suave tannins and superb length, the Catena Altamira showcases just how elegant wines from Argentina can be. Four 92+ Ratings and a Top 100 of 2023, don't miss the latest and greatest vintage!
"Here’s a wine with stature, unafraid to crank up Malbec’s intensity to eleven, a day of air bringing it all together in a Triple-S texture (silky, suave and seductive). This will benefit from a few years in the cellar to explore its scrubby mountain-herb lift and make sense of its fruit. For now, it comes across like a wall of sound blasted from the amps at a Grateful Dead gig, all head-filling, eardrum-rattling blackcurrant jam and violets. For those who enjoy the volume, though, it’s immediately tasty, and exhibits delicacy around the edges." Wine & Spirits Magazine, 94 Points (Top 100)
"Fresh red berries, dried herbs mixed with white pepper, chili chocolate and a hint of cigar box. Dusty tannins on the medium-bodied palate seamlessly unwind and melt into a long, chalky finish. Outstanding quality, but a little more depth would take it to the next level. Delicious now, but can hold, too." James Suckling, 93 Points
"The 2021 Malbec Catena Appellation Paraje Altamira from the Uco Valley was aged for eight months in a third new barrels. Purple in the glass. The nose presents notes of fruit and herbs such as plum, thyme and hints of violet. In the mouth, the palate is compact with slightly chalky tannins, good juice and regional flavor, which lingers at length." Vinous Media, 92 Points
"The 2021 Appellation Paraje Altamira Malbec was my favorite from this range of Malbecs from different IGs (Indicación Geograficas, the appellations of Argentina), with freshness, elegance, balance, complexity and nuance. It has moderate 13.4% alcohol and very good freshness and acidity (in parameters and in the mouth), and it's clean, precise and ethereal with lots of energy. It is expressive and floral, varietal and with the full chalky texture that is a distinct characteristic of Altamira. It has polished tannins and finished tasty and long." The Wine Advocate, 92+ Points