The polished and developed 2017 Catena Alta Malbec has balsamic aromas and a very attractive mixture of flowers, berries and spices. It has contained ripeness for a warm vintage, with a serious profile, medium body and fine-grained tannins, with good grip. It was fermented with full clusters and matured in used French oak barrels for some 18 months. I like the austerity and grip on the palate. 150,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in October 2018. Luis Gutierrez, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Bright ruby. Pure but tight aromas of blackberry, raspberry, bitter chocolate and flowers, with a licorice element emerging with air. Fully ripe, concentrated and sweet, and a step up in density of texture and definition from most of the foregoing Malbec examples. This utterly smooth Malbec finishes with terrific breadth, refined tannins and palate-staining persistence. Winemaker Vigil noted that he picked mostly in early October, before the rains made the end of the harvest an adventure. Yields were low in 2017 due to frost and the Zonda wind in spring, he added. No edges here! Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Grape Varietal: 100% Malbec
Critic Rating: Robert Parker Wine Advocate 93 Points, Vinous 92 Points
Suggested Drink Window: 2019 - 2023