2004 Malbec Catena Alta
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Tasting notes
(from a blend of Catena's top vineyards, planted at up to 4,700 feet above sea level) Good saturated medium ruby. Very ripe black fruit aromas joined by strong torrefaction notes of bitter chocolate, roast coffee, tar and licorice; plenty of evidence of expensive new oak here. Quite ripe and thick but with impressive delineation to the deep dark berry, leather and chocolate flavors. This actually comes across as less sweet than the regular '05 malbec bottling. A seriously structured malbec that finishes with substantial broad, dusty tannins. Give this one some time in bottle.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2004 Alta Malbec was aged for 18 months in French oak, 70% new, and was also bottled unfined and unfiltered. It offers greater aromatic complexity with notes of pepper, clove, leather, and chocolate in addition to violets, black cherry, and blackberry. Medium-bodied and elegant, it has a plush texture, layers of spicy black fruits and minerality, excellent balance, and a 60-second finish. It will evolve for 5-7 years and drink well through 2025. When all is said and done, Catena Zapata is the Argentina winery of reference – the standard of excellence for comparing all others. The brilliant, forward-thinking Nicolas Catena remains in charge, with his daughter, Laura, playing an increasingly large role. The Catena Zapata winery is an essential destination for fans of both architecture and wine in Mendoza. It is hard to believe, given the surge in popularity of Malbec in recent years, that Catena Zapata only began exporting Malbec to the United States in 1994. Importer: Billington Imports, Springfield, VA; tel. (703) 455-4700; www.catenawines.com
About the producer
Bodega Catena Zapata has been instrumental both in the development of fine wine production in Argentina and in realising the full potential of the Malbec grape.