2021 Catena Zapata Angelica Zapata Alta Malbec, Mendoza

Fresh yet ripe nose with blackberries, chocolate mint, dark cherries, minerals and fine spices. Juicy, full-bodied and compact, with a flavorful center palate loaded with fine, dusty tannins. Long and even, with rich but fresh fruit and cocoa powder at the end. Drink or hold.

95 points jamessuckling.com

Catena Zapata’s Angelica Zapata Alta Malbec is a deeply expressive, richly textured red wine that exemplifies the elegance and power of high-altitude Malbec from Mendoza. This cuvée is named in honour of Nicolás Catena Zapata’s mother, Angelica, and represents a selection of the finest parcels from estate vineyards planted in the upper reaches of the Uco Valley. These sites, such as Altamira and Gualtallary, sit at elevations of 900 to over 1,200 metres above sea level, where extreme diurnal temperature swings and intense sunlight yield grapes with thick skins, vivid aromatics and striking natural acidity.

Laura Catena, managing director of the estate and a trained physician, is widely credited with pushing the boundaries of site-specific viticulture in Argentina. Alongside winemaker Alejandro Vigil, she has transformed the perception of Malbec from bold and rustic to nuanced and terroir-driven. For the Angelica Zapata Alta Malbec, the fruit is fermented in small lots using native yeasts and aged for 18 to 24 months in French oak barrels, about a third of which are new. The goal is to preserve fruit purity while framing it with finely judged structure.

The result is a Malbec of serious stature. Aromas of black plum, violet, blueberry compote and cassis leap from the glass, followed by hints of baking spice, graphite, cocoa and a whisper of fresh tobacco. The palate is plush and generous but never heavy, with silky tannins, vibrant acidity and a long, savoury finish that speaks to both site and craftsmanship.

It pairs seamlessly with grilled ribeye, slow-cooked beef cheeks, lamb tagine, or porcini risotto. While delicious young after decanting, this wine is built to age, gaining complexity and polish over ten to fifteen years in the cellar.

Critics consistently praise Angelica Zapata Alta Malbec for its refined style and age-worthiness, placing it among the most sophisticated interpretations of Malbec on the global stage. It’s a wine that bridges Argentina’s bold tradition and its modern precision, and a benchmark for the variety.