2015 Nicolas Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon

As always, the 2015 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of different plots in order to achieve greater complexity. It usually comes from the La Pirámide, Domingo and Nicasia vineyards, with approximately 50% of the grapes from Luján and the other half from Valle de Uco. It contains some 5% Cabernet Franc. It fermented in 500-liter French oak barrels and aged in 225- and 500-liter oak barrels for 18 months. It's super varietal, with powerful herbal and spicy aromatics, serious and without a trace of heat. It has an elegant and fresh palate with bright, vibrant flavors and great length. I consider this a real triumph, as 2015 was very challenging for Cabernet, especially in Luján, where they avoided harvesting earlier. 18,000 bottles produced.

Bright medium ruby. In-your-face Cabernet aromas of redcurrant, plum, tobacco leaf and mocha. Suave, fine-grained and subtly penetrating, with a thickness of texture leavened by perfectly integrated acidity. Finishes with terrific building length and serious but harmonious tannins that spread out to saturate the front teeth. At once subtle and stuffed with material, this Cabernet boasts a lovely balance of sweet fruit, acidity and tannins.

Quite an exotic nose with a hint of passion fruit alongside the more familiar cassis, red bell pepper and chocolate notes. Rich with plush tannins and a healthy acidity. An impressive cabernet that’s also easy to enjoy. Drink or hold.