Catena Zapata - 2021 - Argentino - 6 L

The very young but already harmonious 2021 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino has one of the showier labels from the Catena portfolio. 2021 was a cooler year, as cold as 2016, but instead of a wet year like 2016, it was dry. The wine is juicy and reveals a vibrant palate and very clean and focused aromas and flavors. It's clean and precise with varietal aromas of violets, ripe berries and herbs and a spicy touch from the élevage in oak. It's another great vintage for this blend of grapes from the vineyards of Angélica (Lunlunta) and Nicasia (Altamira). It's nicely textured and tasty, medium to full-bodied and with a vibrant finish.

James Suckling: 96

A really well-balanced malbec here that is slightly spicier and richer. Black cherries, dark olives and some violets. Fleshy and almost full-bodied on the palate with juicy, naturally rendered fruit and very fine-grained tannins. Balance is the word. Drink or hold.

Wine Spectator: 93

A tad restrained at this stage, but shows a nice mix of floral and mineral notes that join the palate around a swell of chalky mineral acidity, adding fresh raspberry flavors, turning slightly muscular on the finish, with firming tannins and notes of dark chocolate. Drink now through 2033. 5,000 cases made, 2,500 cases imported.