Big name Malbec from Costco, we check out the latest vintage of the the Catena Malbec.
100% Malbec from four high altitude estate vineyards in Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo, Tupungato and San Carlos in Mendoza, Argentina. The wine is aged 14 months in 225L French barriques, 35% of which were new.
Today's wine is a popular one (over 1 million bottles produced) that typically gets some big scores. And it certainly sounds enticing when you look at the vineyard information on those "High Mountain Vines".
A blend of four vineyards that are divided into lots and harvested at different times, this wine comes from the 80 year-old vines of the Lunlunta Vineyard (Maipu) at 2,822 feet of elevation, the Agrelo Vineyard (Luján de Cuyo) at 3,084 feet of elevation, the Altamira Vineyard (San Carlos) at 3,871 feet of elevation and the Gualtallary Vineyard (Tupungato) at 4,921 feet of elevation.
Sample submitted for review. The Catena Malbec has an average wine-searcher price of $20 but we've also spotted it at Costco for $15.99. It is imported by Winebow, Inc. and should be available widely.
For over four generations, the Catena Family has grown vines in the foothills of the Andes mountains. Catena Malbec is sourced from the family's historic high-altitude vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina. From the marriage of these historic parcels emerges a wine of unique character that has natural balance, concentration and a distinct varietal identity.
Estate Grown and Bottled by Bodega Y Vinedos Catena
13.5% Alcohol
We last visited the 2017 vintage of this wine, and while we weren't blown away by it (as we have been by some prior vintages), we nevertheless thought it was solid. Let's check out how this latest 2019 vintage tastes...
Like we've experienced from past bottles the nose of the 2019 High Mountain Vines Catena Malbec has a touch of funk when it is first popped and poured but we found this vintage to open up and blossom rather quickly. When it does you'll find attractive notes of black cherry, spice and licorice plus nice touches of earth and tobacco.
Tasting the wine reveals smooth, leathery dark and even a bit juicy berry fruit with spice, earth and tobacco also adding interest. It gets better as it has more time in the glass, but this is quite tasty and a step above the 2017 in our opinion.
The dry, very long, slightly tannic and lasting finish was the best part. This is definitely still a worthy buy!
Ready to buy? Check your local retailers.
You may also want to check out more of our favorite Malbec!
