Catena Malbec
Winery : Catena Zapata
Catina Ranking : Top 3 in the world
Vintage : 2023
Grad : 13.6%
Origin : Lunlunta, Agrelo, Eugenio Bustos, Gualtallary; Mendoza; Argentina
Altitude : between 920 and 1450 m above sea level
Winemaker(s) : Alejandro Vigil, Dr. Laura Catena
Harvest : 2023 data. The season began with spring frosts that reduced yields, but then continued with dry, warm weather. This, combined with low grape yields, led to early ripening by 2-4 weeks, resulting in optimal fruit balance, wonderful natural acidity, a rich aromatic expression in every region, and powerful minerality. A vintage characterized by low yields and an early harvest, which resulted in very elegant wines with high natural acidity and a texture with strong minerality.
Vinification : 5 days of cold pre-fermentation maceration at 8.8ºC for greater extraction of aromas. 12 days of fermentation. 19-22 days of post-fermentation maceration. Indigenous yeasts.
Aging : 12 months in oak. Oak selected based on the vineyard and the characteristics of the harvest. First, second, and third-use barrels.
It can age in the bottle for up to : 20 years.
Vivino Rating : 4.0
Expert Rating* (average): 91/100
*Tim Atkin, James Suckling, Robert Parker
Alejandro Vigil graduated as an Agricultural Engineer from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in Mendoza, where he subsequently earned two master's degrees, in Oenology and Irrigation. In 2003, he joined the Oenology team, responsible for Catena's flagship wines, and in 2017, he was appointed Oenological Director of the winery. In 2018, two of his wines achieved 100 Parker points. He did so again in 2019 and 2021. To date, 25 of his wines have achieved this result. In 2019, he was chosen by Tim Atkin as Oenologist of the Year. He is considered the "Messi" of Oenology.
Dr. Laura Catena , a fourth-generation winemaker who, despite her medical degrees from Harvard and Stanford, decided to dedicate herself to the family business. She has been called "the face of Argentine wine" for her active role in studying and promoting the Mendoza wine region and Argentine Malbec. Laura's lifelong obsession is to learn more about high-altitude viticulture, the vineyard soil microbiome, and wine aging.
Tasting Notes: Deep ruby in color, the nose offers fresh black fruit accompanied by vanilla and smoke, along with some spicy notes. On the palate, it's once again a fruity wine, with good acidity and present yet tamed tannins that will further develop with more time in the bottle. This is a balanced and complex wine.
Notes on the winery : Catena Zapata has been one of the most admired wineries in the world in recent years, earning the number one label among "The World's Most Admired Wine Brands" in 2020, confirming its position in 2025 and 2026, leaving behind giants such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Château Margaux, Marchesi Antinori, Gaja, and Tenuta San Guido/Sassicaia. In addition to this prestigious recognition, the winery, founded by Nicola Catena in 1902, was ranked number one in The World's Best Vineyards in 2023. Cantina Zapata is one of the top three most prestigious not only in Argentina but in the world.