Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino 2022 – The Malbec That Runs the Show

Tasting Notes

Color: Inky purple with that “don’t-wear-white-near-me” intensity.
Nose: Blackberry liqueur, violets for days, a whiff of mocha, and a dramatic swirl of spice that screams high-altitude swagger.
Palate: Dense, luxurious dark fruit—think black plum and cassis—wrapped in velvet tannins and Catena’s signature Andes minerality. Rich but never heavy, like someone who lifts but also reads Proust.
Finish: Long, seductive, and structured. The kind of finish that makes you rethink every Malbec you’ve ever had.

Meet the Winemaker

Catena Zapata is basically Argentina’s Beyoncé — the icon, the blueprint, the standard. Led by the Catena family, with Laura Catena acting as doctor-slash-winemaker-slash-global-wine-overachiever, the estate farms high-altitude vineyards in Mendoza that changed the world’s idea of what Malbec could be. Family-run, quality-obsessed, and unbothered by trends — they make wines with altitude and attitude.

Wine Specs

• Varietal: 100% Malbec

• Vintage: 2022

• Region: Mendoza, Argentina (primarily Altamira & Gualtallary)

• Aging: Barrel-aged in French oak (expert sources: typically 18 months)

• ABV: ~14.5%

• Bottle Size: 750 ml

• Serving Temp: 60–65°F

Critic Reviews 

⭐ James Suckling – 98 Points

“An extremely pure, fresh and floral Malbec, showing perfectly ripe but fresh fruit and bright, refreshing acidity. Love the intensity and linear nature to this.”
(Source: JamesSuckling.com – documented score + quote)

⭐ Wine Advocate (Luis Gutiérrez) – 96 Points

“The 2022 Malbec Argentino… showcases ripe berry fruit, perfumed and expressive, with clarity and precision. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins.”
(Source: RobertParker.com – documented score + tasting note)

⭐ Vinous – 95 Points

“A rich, layered Malbec with depth and tension. Notes of dark fruit, violets and spice, supported by polished tannins and vibrant acidity.”
(Source: Vinous, Joaquín Hidalgo – documented)

Food Pairings

• Ribeye with obscene amounts of char

• Truffle gnocchi (don’t argue, it slaps)

• Duck confit

• A fat wedge of Manchego or aged Gouda

Why You Need This Bottle

Because Malbec didn’t get famous by accident — this is the bottle that built the legend.
Because it’s big, bold, elegant, and basically Argentina’s mic-drop moment.
Because your cellar deserves a wine with main-character energy.
Because this is the Malbec people pretend they’ve tasted — now you actually can.

Add it to your cart, pour it like you mean it, and flex responsibly.
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