Catena Zapata 'Catena' Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina

An exquisite representation of Mendoza’s high-altitude terroirs, the 2023 Catena Zapata 'Catena' Cabernet Sauvignon is a benchmark Argentine red, crafted by fourth-generation vintner Laura Catena and renowned chief winemaker Alejandro Vigil. This wine is a meticulous blend from four of the Catena family's exceptional mountain estate vineyards, each contributing depth, freshness, and complexity to this layered and age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon.

Product Details:

• Varietal Composition: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
• Region: Mendoza, Argentina
• Vineyard Sources:
  • Agrelo (3,117 ft): Alluvial soils with a clay top and rounded rock subsoil
  • Villa Bastías (3,675 ft): Silty loam with limestone substructure
  • Altamira in La Consulta (3,593 ft): Loamy soils with stony foundations
  • El Cepillo, Eugenio Bustos (3,593 ft): Sandy loam with calcareous rock
• Elevation Range: 3,117–3,675 feet
• Fermentation: Native yeasts in stainless steel, 12–16 days; 20–23 days total maceration
• Aging: 11–13 months in French oak (first, second, and third use)
• Alcohol: 13.8%
• Acidity: 5.55 g/L
• pH: 3.5

Sensory Description:

The 2023 vintage delivers intense varietal character and impeccable balance, displaying a deep ruby hue in the glass. Aromatically, it opens with notes of cassis, ripe blackberry, and plum, interwoven with savory hints of tobacco leaf, cedar, and graphite. A subtle floral lift and a whisper of bell pepper from the Cabernet Franc provide aromatic freshness. On the palate, the wine is concentrated and structured, offering fine-grained tannins, a silky texture, and well-integrated oak. A lingering finish showcases dark fruit, baking spice, and a touch of minerality, a hallmark of Mendoza’s high-altitude vineyards.

Winemaker's Background:

Bodega Catena Zapata, a pioneering force in Argentine winemaking since 1902, is internationally celebrated for redefining Malbec and elevating Argentine wine on the world stage. Under the leadership of Dr. Laura Catena and with winemaking directed by Alejandro Vigil, the estate has pursued a rigorous exploration of Mendoza’s mountain terroirs, creating wines of world-class distinction. Their commitment to sustainable viticulture, terroir expression, and minimal intervention yields wines of profound complexity and enduring elegance.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F). This wine pairs beautifully with grilled ribeye, rosemary-crusted lamb chops, wild mushroom risotto, or aged hard cheeses. While approachable now, it will evolve gracefully in the bottle over the next 10 to 20 years.

Elegant, expressive, and crafted with precision, the 2023 Catena Cabernet Sauvignon stands as a compelling tribute to the strength and finesse of Mendoza’s mountain-grown wines.