August 9, 2022
20-Buck Bottle: Rich, full-bodied malbec with good balance
This smart buy features a dense purple hue
2019 Catena High Mountain Vines Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
Available at: Laurel Market
Price: $19.99
On The Nose: Purple plum, blackberry, lavender, bing cherry, vanilla
On The Palate: Full bodied, good tannin structure, blackberry, blueberry, spice, mineral
On The Plate: Flank steak, fajitas, lasagna, venison, bison burgers.
Our Take: This intense but elegant malbec is a positive departure from many malbecs from Argentina, which are often overly extracted and syrupy. This is a good value and reflects the finesse of this grape as it can be.
Fun Fact: The family-owned, fourth generation Catena winery has been in business since 1902. Like so many Argentinian wineries, it was founded by an Italian immigrant. The grapes used to make this wine come from five high altitude parcels that have distinctive flavor profiles which, when blended together, yield a wine with depth and character.
