CATENA ZAPATA | La Consulta | Malbec | 2019
malbec

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Family vintners for over 100 years, the Catena’s are recognized for their pioneering role in high-altitude viticulture and in leading Argentina’s malbec revolution. In the 1950’s, Don Domingo Catena began sourcing malbec grapes from the vineyards of La Consulta. The combination of intense sunlight and cool nights resulted in a wine that Domingo Catena prized for its deep purple color, vibrant black fruit aromatics and velvety-rich tannins – a wine that might be considered as the blueprint for argentinian high-altitude malbec.

Today we are going to review a true classic – a single-varietal and single-vineyard malbec wine from the famous Mendoza region of Argentina – La Consulta Malbec 2019 by Catena Zapata. Known for its plump, dark fruit flavors and smoky finish, malbec wines have been adored for centuries, especially by the royal houses of England and Russia. With elegant notes of blueberry, plum, tobacco and hints of violets, modern malbec offers a great alternative to its higher priced siblings: merlot, cabernet sauvignon or syrah. Although the malbec variety originated in the famous Cahors region of France, Argentina proved that there’s more to malbec than just value, as it can offer an unmatched complexity and elegance, if produced in an expressive new-world style, with a nuanced and juicy, fruit-forward character. The grapes for this wine were sourced from the slopes of La Consulta vineyard, planted at 1095 meters altitude on loam-rich soils of alluvial origin, with gravel and rounded rocks in the subsoil. In order to preserve the varietal characteristics of the malbec grapes and those much desired terroir-driven hints, the wine has been aged for 12 months in french oak barriques, from which only 35% new oak, the rest being barrels at second and third fill. That said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
color: deep ruby color
clarity: noble purple hues on the rim

//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced | earthy-elegant
fruit character: ripe & overripe

On the first nose, this wine unveils a vibrant and ripe fruit character that immediately captures attention. The foreground is dominated by a vibrant tapestry of ripe black and blue fruits, showcasing the richness of blueberry, blackberry and dark cherry, supported by nuanced, earthy hints of loam, slit and pencil lead, that contribute to the wine’s aromatic complexity. The background reveals a delicate layer of oak-derived aromas, offering notes of toasted wood, nutmeg and peppercorn, mixed with subtle hints of iron, lending a noble character to the aromatic profile. This wine delivers a delightful olfactory experience that skillfully balances malbec’s vibrant fruitiness with the genuine charm of La Consulta terroir, creating a wine of rustic elegance and genuine delicacy.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: medium+ | tannin: medium- | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: velvety-crisp

On the palate, this wine delivers elegance and finesse with its vibrant fruit character and that mesmerizing interplay of ripe black and blue fruits. On the mouthfeel the wine displays bright acidity and silky tannins that invigorates the senses and forms a velvety texture on the palate. A touch of well-integrated alcoholic warmth adds depth and structure, thus enhancing the wine’s voluptuous body. This is a very round, plump and ample wine that culminates with a velvety-crisp aftertaste, that lingers pleasantly. The interplay of subtle, oak-derived notes and terroir-driven flavours adds an extra layer of sophistication to the wine’s already rich flavour profile. This is a wine that offers harmony and finesse, making it an excellent choice for those wine enthusiasts who are looking for a genuine and honest representation of Mendoza’s terroir.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or in the next 3 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential

All in all, this is an ample and well-structured wine with a nuanced, terroir-driven accent that radiates that genuine rustic delicacy that only the best wines are capable to deliver. Its round and velvety mouthfeel, coupled with the wine’s voluptuous and rich character, creates a truly captivating sensory experience. This is a wine that managed to reflect the true expression of the malbec grape variety and a quintessential representation of the very best of Mendoza‘s terroir. While it may benefit from some additional bottle aging, there is no doubts that this wine can be also be enjoyed today without sacrificing too much of its ageing potential. This wine is a true gem for those wine connoisseurs who are looking for a top-quality malbec that embodies the essence of its origin and which can delve into the realm of elegance.

//Scoring
CATENA ZAPATA | La Consulta | Malbec | 2019
variety: malbec
country: Argentina
region: Mendoza | La Consulta
rating: 93.7

//Prediction
predicted rating: 90+
actual rating: 92
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This is definitely a fine wine of Argentina and, with a total of 93.7 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.

Pairing: Judging by the wine’s vibrant and rich flavor profile and its terroir-driven delicacy, we would recommend to pair it with a blue-rare filet mignon or Tournedos Rossini. The wine’s rich and velvety mouthfeel, coupled with its ripe black and blue fruit character, will harmonize splendidly with the succulent tenderness of the rare steak, while the earthy undertones and subtle oak notes in the wine will complement the seared crust of the meat, enhancing the overall flavor profile. In the same key, the bright acidity and crisp aftertaste of the wine, will provide a refreshing contrast to the silky texture of the meat, creating a truly unique dining experience. Enjoy!

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