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2005 Bodega Catena Zapata Catena Alta Malbec

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

December 12, 2021 - $42

Estimate

RATINGS

93The Wine Advocate

The nicely perfumed bouquet reveals wood smoke, cedar, leather, black cherry, and black raspberry. On the palate it is suave, layered, and richly fruity, with lots of spice notes and well integrated oak, tannin, and acidity.

93Wine Spectator

Very concentrated, with dark fig and currant paste flavors, but also pure and driven, with intense mocha, bittersweet cocoa and melted licorice notes that stretch out the long, polished finish.

92Wine Enthusiast

... Expect blackberry, cassis and dry balsam wood/cedar aromas. The palate is lush and chewy, but also vital and lively. Toasty, dark berry flavors get a softening of vanilla on the finish.

91Stephen Tanzer

Aromas and flavors of black raspberry, coffee, smoke and red licorice, with a slightly high-toned briary quality. Then sweet, dense and superripe, with a creamy, seamless texture and impressive depth to the middle palate. Liqueur-like...

REGION

Argentina, Mendoza (Cuyo)

Mendoza on the western edge of Argentina is the nation’s largest and most important wine producing region. With about a billion acres under vine, the region of Mendoza alone has nearly half as many vineyards acres as all of the United States. Located on the edge of the Andes, vineyards here are high, usually 2,000 to 3,600 feet above sea level, yet they enjoy a relatively temperate climate and four distinct seasons. The soil is sandy and alluvial with clay underneath and moderate rainfall encourages growth. Historically Argentina, and Mendoza, grew pink skin grapes for slightly sweet pink or white wines. Those grapes are still grown for bulk jug wine. Since the late 1980s, however, Malbec has been Mendoza’s most important grape, since it makes a rich, dark, robust, age-worth red. The second most important red grape is Bonarda, which is thought to be the same grape that California growers know as Charbono. Italian and Spanish red grapes including Sangiovese, Barbera and Tempranillo were brought by immigrants, and they are grown today. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Torrontés and numerous other red and white grapes are also grown successfully.

TYPE

Red Wine, Malbec

This grape produces a dark red wine with plenty of tannins. It is one of the six grapes allowed for blending red Bordeaux wines. Malbec is also the flagship variety of Argentina. The grape needs a lot of sun and heat to mature. It adds complexity and intensity to blends.