2024 Catena Zapata High Mountain Vines Malbec, Mendoza

This shows expressive red and dark fruit, tapenade and a touch of dark chocolate. The palate is plush and round with fine-grained tannins and a clean, satisfying finish. Drink now.

91 points James Suckling

Few names carry as much weight in Argentina as Catena Zapata, a family that helped put Mendoza on the world stage. Nicolás Catena was among the first to push vineyards higher into the Andes, chasing cooler conditions and better balance, and today Laura Catena continues that legacy with a sharp focus on site and precision. The High Mountain Vines range brings together fruit from these elevated vineyards, capturing the essence of Mendoza’s altitude in a more accessible, everyday expression.

There is immediate generosity here, ripe blackberry, black cherry and plum, with a gentle lift of violet that feels unmistakably Malbec. A touch of mocha and sweet spice weaves through, the oak sitting neatly in support rather than taking over. It is plush and inviting, but there is also a freshness that keeps it from feeling heavy.

Tannins are soft and rounded, giving the wine a smooth, flowing texture, while a thread of acidity keeps everything in check. The finish lingers with dark fruit and a hint of cocoa, making it very easy to go back for another glass. It is polished without losing its sense of place, a hallmark of what the Catena family does so well.

This is made for the grill. Think ribeye with chimichurri, slow roasted lamb shoulder, or smoky chorizo straight off the coals. It also works beautifully with richer vegetarian dishes like roasted pumpkin with spices or black bean stew.

Drink it now for its vibrant fruit and easy charm, or hold for five to eight years as it gains a little more savoury depth and complexity.