Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 – 750ml Winebow

95pts Descorchados

This Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the winery’s flagships. With its first versions made in the late 1990s, and always based on the Catena vineyards planted in Agrelo in 1982, this Alta has always shown a clear, fruity vision of the variety. While the traditional cabernet from the other side of the Andes, in Chile, is full of earthy and minty tones, Agrelo’s is all about the fruit, the crystalline expression of the variety that translates into aromas and flavors of red fruits and herbs. The body has grip and firm tannins, but rather than sticking to the palate, here they seem to have the role of a prince consort, serving as support to allow this rich fruity expression to show itself in all its fullness. Leave this wine in the cellar for at least three years.

93pts James Suckling

Blackberries, wild raspberries, currants, lemon leaves, licorice and dried spices on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with firm, silky tannins. Very fine and precise. Fantastic freshness.

93pts Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

As with most Cabernet Sauvignon from Catena, the 2019 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon is not a 100% varietal wine but a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc, as Cabernet Sauvignon on its own is often not complete enough. The Cabernet Franc must have given it an extra kick of freshness, increasing the already fresh character of the year. The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of herbal and fresh flavors and very fine, varietal tannins.

93pts Vinous

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Catena Alta has a 4% dash of Cabernet Franc and is made with grapes from Lujan de Cuyo and the Uco Valley and aged for 18 months in varied use French barrels. Garnet red with a violet sheen the aromas offer intense notes of ripe blackcurrant and plum with hints of mint, herbs, cedar and vanilla over gentle scents of red pepper. Presenting grippy tanning in the mouth, the palate is compact in spite of the volume and moderate freshness. A rich, characterful wine.

92pts Wine Advocate

There is a faint roasted note in the nose of the 2018 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc, with more Cabernet Franc in this warmer year (compared with 2019). It has a very classical nose, combining the herbal character of the grape with good ripeness of the year, resulting in a very complete wine, nicely textured and with the serious tannins from the variety.

Winemaker Notes

The Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon shows a dark ruby color with violet tones. On the nose, it offers intense aromas of ripe raspberries, and cassis with notes of pepper and clove. On the palate, it is full-bodied and rich and displays layers of black currant and black raspberry with notes of cedar, tobacco and leather. This Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant wine with silky tannins that provide structure and a long and persistent finish.

Pair this Cabernet with red meats like steak or lamb.

Blend: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc

Winery Notes

Bodega Catena Zapata is one of Argentina’s high altitude Malbec pioneers. The Catena family began making wine in Mendoza in 1902. Nicolas Catena, third generation family vintner, was one of the first to see the potential of Mendoza’s mountain vineyards for producing high quality Malbec. In 1994, he became the first Argentine to exprot a world-class bottling of Malbec under the Catena label. Nicolas is joined by his daughter, Dr. Laura Catena, in their relentless pursuit of world-class quality from the family’s high altitude vineyards. Laura has done extensive work in introducing Malbec and other varietal plant selections, soil and climate analysis, and sustainable practices throughout Mendoza. Head winemaker, Alejandro Vigil, has been at Catena Zapata since 2002 and works with Laura and Nicolas to make wines that express the family’s vineyards and palate.