2022 Catena Zapata Alta Historic Rows Malbec, Mendoza

The 2022 Malbec Catena Alta brings together historic vineyards from Luján de Cuyo and Uco Valley to capture the best of both regions: Luján’s generous, supple tannins and Uco’s juicy, fresh fruit. Aged for up to 18 months in barrel, this wine is the essence of Mendoza Malbec. Intense aromas of fresh plum and delicate balsamic notes float over oak and a floral hint in the background. With indulgent depth and a juicy flow, the 2022 balances plush tannins with refined texture to produce a long and sapid palate with a touch of intensity and subtle concentration. This is a rich wine that raises the bar for Mendoza Malbec.

95 points Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, April 2025

Racy berries, cherries and touches of white pepper and tamarind. Very juicy and fluid, with fine-grained tannins and a mouthwatering finish. Long, succulent and very poised. Drink or hold.

93 points Zekun Shua, James Suckling, February 2024

The 2021 Malbec Nicasia Vineyard originates from a small plot nestled within Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley. It was aged up to 16 months in concrete vats and foudres and boasts a deep purple color. The complex nose unveils layers of crushed plums, blueberries, herbs, curry, lavender and graphite. Initially dry and plush, the palate transitions into a taut, chalky, overwhelming, and juicy texture, as if embodying structure and suppleness. This unique and flavorful Malbec offers a highpitched intensity of flavor that lingers, showcasing a prolonged focus on the fruit. Vinous, Jun 2023 97 Points A complex, layered malbec that shows a touch of white pepper and cigar box. Blackberries, chiles, chocolate and fine spices. Really juicy and compact, but nothing hefty. Quintessential flavors with dusty tannins that keep growing. Drink or hold. 

JamesSuckling.com, Feb 2024 96 Points

Catena Alta is an assemblage of historic rows within the Catena family Estate vineyards. The blend of these historic rows, like the marriage of sounds that create a symphony, yields a highly aromatic and elegant wine that speaks for the earth and the vines that have been tended by the Catenas for four generations. The Catena Alta wines can usually be drunk starting at three years after harvest and into the following one to two decades.

2022 was an exceptional year at Catena Zapata from every possible qualitative standpoint. Throughout Mendoza, both in the Primera Zona (closer to Mendoza city) and in the Uco Valley, the wines have optimal acidity, great concentration and ripeness of polyphenols, and just-right (not too high) alcohol levels. In the words of Alejandro Vigil, Catena Zapata’s Head Winemaker: This is the best year that I have lived through.

Drawn from some of the most revered old vine parcels in Mendoza, the Alta Historic Rows is where the Catena family really shows the depth of their vineyard work. Nicolás Catena’s push into high altitude sites reshaped Argentine wine, and today Laura Catena continues that legacy, working with historic plantings across places like La Consulta, Lunlunta and the Uco Valley. These older vines, many planted decades ago, naturally limit yields and bring a concentration and complexity that sits well above the standard Malbec profile.

The 2022 vintage balances richness with precision. Aromatically it opens with layers of black cherry, cassis and plum, but there is more than just fruit here. Violet and lavender bring lift, while notes of cocoa, spice and a subtle graphite edge add depth. There is a freshness running through it that keeps everything in check, a hallmark of those elevated vineyard sites.

On the palate it is full bodied yet composed, with fine, polished tannins that give structure without heaviness. The fruit is dense but well defined, moving from dark berries into more savoury territory, hints of tobacco, spice and a gentle mineral line that carries the finish. Oak is present but seamlessly integrated, adding texture and length rather than dominating.

Winemaking is handled with precision, combining traditional techniques with modern understanding, allowing each vineyard component to contribute to the final blend. The result is a Malbec that feels complete and layered, offering both immediate appeal and the ability to evolve.

This is made for richer dishes. Think grilled ribeye with chimichurri, slow braised beef, or lamb with rosemary and garlic. It also pairs beautifully with hard cheeses where the tannins and fruit can balance the richness.

Drink it now with a bit of air, or cellar for eight to fifteen years as it develops more complexity, with notes of leather, spice and deeper savoury characters emerging over time.