Catena Zapata Malbec Appelation Series Paraje Altamira 2023 750ml

The leader of the Catena Appellation series is the 2023 Appellation Paraje Altamira Malbec, which hails from vines planted in 1996 and leads with a harmonious and composed nose of bright fruits, floral tones and fresh herbs. The palate is svelte and poised, transitioning to a rich yet focused finish that gradually becomes more sturdy and upright with aeration.

• Country: Argentina
• Region: Cuyo
• Appellation: Mendoza
• Sub Appellation: Uco Valley
• Size: 750ml
• Color: Red
• Alcohol by Vol: 13.4%

Varietal

Malbec

The purple Malbec variety grapes which now grow all over the Old and New Worlds had their origins in France, where they are one of the few grape varieties allowed to be used in the highly esteemed blended wines of Bordeaux. However, it is perhaps the New World Malbec wines which have attracted the most attention in recent years, as they thrive in hot southern climates in ways they cannot in their native country, where the damp conditions leave them highly vulnerable to rot. Malbec grapes are renowned for their high tannin content, resulting in full-bodied red wines packed with ripe, plummy flavors and held in their characteristically dark, garnet colored liquid. In many countries, Malbec is still used primarily as a varietal for blending, as it adds a great level of richness and density to other, lighter and thinner varietals. However, single variety Malbec wines have been greatly on the rise in recent years, with some fantastic results and big, juicy flavors marking them out as a great wine for matching with a wide range of foods.