2022 Catena Zapata Appellation La Consulta Malbec
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | Argentina |
| Region | |
| Appellation | Mendoza (Appellation) |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (13.5%) |
| Drink window | 2024 - 2029 |
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Description
Laura Catena, the San Francisco-based daughter of owner Nicolas Catena, has thrown herself into the terroir expression of Catena's Malbecs. With great success. Wine by wine, you can taste the difference in altitude, soil and climate. The various vineyards in La Consulta, south of Mendoza, are combined in this wine to form a real 'Appellation La Consulta'. Don Domingo Catena made wines here as early as 1902. The vineyards here, such as the Nicasia vineyard and the Angelica vineyard, are located at an altitude of almost 1100 meters. This altitude is perfect for the Malbec. It means temperatures that rise to around 33 degrees during the day. But at night it cools down considerably, so that the difference between day and night is very big. This ensures powerful aromas and a pronounced freshness in the acids. This leads to a great expression of the unique terroir in the wine. The yields are low and the grapes are picked by hand. After fermentation, the wine matures in oak barrels, which rounds it off nicely. A pure glass of Malbec, powerful, smooth and fruity.
In the glass this Malbec is deep purple red with an intense nose, powerful, ripe fruit, blueberries and cherries, beautiful, smoky, broad, vanilla, spices, mocha.
As befits a Malbec, the Consulta from Zapata is full and peppery, deliciously ripe and sultry, intense and concentrated, a velvety taste, lively through beautiful acids. This is a good companion for a spiced lamb chop, spicy sausages, mature cheeses.
Specifications
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | Argentina |
| Region | Mendoza |
| Appellation | Mendoza (Appellation) |
| Winery | Catena Zapata |
| Grape | Malbec |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2029 |
| Alcohol % | 13.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Promotion | Tier Price |
| Parker rating | 92 |
| James Suckling rating | 92 |
| Vinous rating | 93 |
| Tasting Profiles | Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Rood fruit, Tannines, Vol |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Cadeau!, Lekker luxe, Met vrienden, Open haard, Romantisch |
Professional Reviews
Parker
2021 Catena Zapata Appellation La Consulta Malbec
RP 92
Reviewed by:
Luis Gutiérrez
Drink Date:
2023 - 2028
The range of appellation wines from 2021 is very fresh and balanced, clean and precise, as can be seen in the juicy but serious 2021 Appellation La Consulta Malbec, which was produced with grapes from vines planted in 1996 on alluvial soils. This is still young and a little marked by the élevage in barrel, with spices and some creaminess, and it has the mineral sensation and fine tannins that this wine always has. It has black fruit and an earthy twist. 84,000 bottles produced.
Some of the vineyards from Catena are suffering from phylloxera, and parts of some vineyards have to be grubbed up and replanted.
Rating
91
Release Price
$22
Drink Date
2021 - 2024
Reviewed by
Luis Gutiérrez
Issue Date
31st Mar 2021
Source
End of March 2021, The Wine Advocate
The 2020 Appellation La Consulta Malbec feels quite ripe and round, a juicy and quite fruit-driven Malbec from a warmish place in a warm vintage. It's quite straightforward and easy to drink. 72,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in October and November 2020.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
CATENA MALBEC LA CONSULTA VALLE DE UCO 2021
Score
92
Sweet spices, coffee and some pine cones to the fresh blackberries and cherries. Spicy on the medium-bodied palate with dissolved, chalky tannins and plenty of spiced cherries in the smooth, medium-long finish. Plush tannins here. Drink now.
Zekun Shuai
Senior Editor
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
2021 Malbec Catena Appellation La Consulta
93
Drinking Window
2022 - 2030
From: Argentina: Making It Work with Resilience and Stylistic Ingenuity (Nov 2022)
The 2021 Malbec Catena Appellation La Consulta from the Uco Valley, was aged for eight months in barrels, a quarter of them new. Purple in hue. The aromatic profile is full of vivid fruity notes such as fresh sour cherry and plum with hints of jam and violets over a bed of oak. Fairly smooth and broad on the palate with juicy freshness and excellent flavor, this is a textbook La Consulta wine; it's a terroir that acts as a bridge between Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
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Wijnhuis
Bodega Catena Zapata ranks among the absolute top of the Argentine wine world. This family estate from Mendoza, founded in 1902, sparked a revolution in South American viticulture. Through high-altitude pioneering and an uncompromising focus on quality, Catena Zapata not only put the Malbec grape on the map, but also helped establish Argentina’s reputation as a serious wine-producing nation. In this article, you’ll learn more about the impressive history, the iconic wines, and the innovative character of this leading winery.
Bodega Catena Zapata: Iconic Winery from Mendoza
Bodega Catena Zapata is one of Argentina’s most influential wineries and plays a key role in shaping the global reputation of Argentine fine wine. The winery was founded in 1902 by Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant who sought his fortune in Mendoza. He planted his first vineyard with the Malbec grape, which was then still an unknown variety in Argentina.
His son, Domingo Catena, carried on his father’s dream and became one of Mendoza’s largest vineyard owners. However, the family business also faced adversity: in the 1960s, Argentina was hit by economic instability and sky-high inflation.
Nicolás Catena: The Man Who Reinvented Argentine Wine
The young Nicolás Catena, freshly graduated as an economist, took over the business in the mid-1960s. At a time when Argentina was mainly known for bulk wine production, Nicolás made the bold decision to focus on quality. Against all odds, he sold off the table wine-producing part of the family business and retained only Bodegas Esmeralda, the foundation for high-quality wines.
His vision was revolutionary: Argentina had to leverage the quality of its terroir to compete at the highest international level. He began replanting Malbec and Chardonnay at high altitudes, including in Gualtallary, a subregion in the Uco Valley located over 1,500 meters above sea level. While many believed Malbec would never ripen at that altitude, Catena proved otherwise.
Malbec as an Argentine Icon
The Malbec grape is now inseparably linked to Argentina — largely thanks to Nicolás Catena. In 1994, he released his first Catena Malbec, made from old vines in the Adrianna Vineyard. This vineyard turned out to be of exceptional quality and helped elevate the global reputation of Malbec.
Catena even planted 145 different Malbec clones and rigorously tested their suitability. Ultimately, he selected the best clones for his top-tier wines, including those from the La Pirámide vineyard.
Laura Catena: Science Meets Winemaking
In 2001, Nicolás handed over the R&D project to his daughter Laura Catena, a medical doctor with degrees from Harvard and Stanford. Her scientific background brought a new dimension to the winemaking process. Together with her team, she focused on the extreme microclimates of the high-altitude vineyards, which led to unique expressions of Malbec.
In 2004, the decision was made to ferment the grapes from these vineyards directly in new French oak barrels. This resulted in three groundbreaking Malbecs that today stand as symbols of the winery’s innovative power.
The Wines of Catena Zapata: Five Distinct Lines
The winery produces five wine lines, each with its own character and level of quality:
- Catena Zapata: The flagship cuvées, made only in exceptional vintages.
- Catena Alta: Wines from the best parcels of high-altitude vineyards.
- Catena: The core line, balancing elegance and typicity.
- Alamos: Accessible wines with excellent value for money.
- Argento: The most commercial line, aimed at a broader market (Note: this line was later spun off and is no longer directly part of Catena Zapata).
All of these wines come from vineyards located at 900 meters or higher, clearly emphasizing Catena Zapata’s commitment to terroir and elevation.
Innovation, Vision, and Terroir at Catena Zapata
Catena Zapata is a textbook example of how vision, perseverance, and innovation can lead to international acclaim. From the first Malbec plantings in 1902 to Laura Catena’s cutting-edge vinification methods, the winery continues to evolve without losing sight of its roots.
The iconic winery building, shaped like a Mayan pyramid and designed in the 1990s, symbolizes the connection between past and future. It serves as the physical and philosophical heart of the estate.
Buying Wines from Bodega Catena Zapata at Grandcruwijnen?
At Grandcruwijnen, we offer a wide selection of Catena wines. Whether you're looking for an approachable Alamos Malbec or an impressive Catena Alta Chardonnay, you'll find it in our assortment. Order easily online or pick up your wines at our pickup center in Dordrecht. Our sommeliers are happy to advise you on the best food pairings for your favorite Catena wines.
Laura Catena, the San Francisco-based daughter of owner Nicolas Catena, has thrown herself into the terroir expression of Catena's Malbecs. With great success. Wine by wine, you can taste the difference in altitude, soil and climate. The various vineyards in La Consulta, south of Mendoza, are combined in this wine to form a real 'Appellation La Consulta'. Don Domingo Catena made wines here as early as 1902. The vineyards here, such as the Nicasia vineyard and the Angelica vineyard, are located at an altitude of almost 1100 meters. This altitude is perfect for the Malbec. It means temperatures that rise to around 33 degrees during the day. But at night it cools down considerably, so that the difference between day and night is very big. This ensures powerful aromas and a pronounced freshness in the acids. This leads to a great expression of the unique terroir in the wine. The yields are low and the grapes are picked by hand. After fermentation, the wine matures in oak barrels, which rounds it off nicely. A pure glass of Malbec, powerful, smooth and fruity.
In the glass this Malbec is deep purple red with an intense nose, powerful, ripe fruit, blueberries and cherries, beautiful, smoky, broad, vanilla, spices, mocha.
As befits a Malbec, the Consulta from Zapata is full and peppery, deliciously ripe and sultry, intense and concentrated, a velvety taste, lively through beautiful acids. This is a good companion for a spiced lamb chop, spicy sausages, mature cheeses.
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | Argentina |
| Region | Mendoza |
| Appellation | Mendoza (Appellation) |
| Winery | Catena Zapata |
| Grape | Malbec |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2029 |
| Alcohol % | 13.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Promotion | Tier Price |
| Parker rating | 92 |
| James Suckling rating | 92 |
| Vinous rating | 93 |
| Tasting Profiles | Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Rood fruit, Tannines, Vol |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Cadeau!, Lekker luxe, Met vrienden, Open haard, Romantisch |
Parker
2021 Catena Zapata Appellation La Consulta Malbec
RP 92
Reviewed by:
Luis Gutiérrez
Drink Date:
2023 - 2028
The range of appellation wines from 2021 is very fresh and balanced, clean and precise, as can be seen in the juicy but serious 2021 Appellation La Consulta Malbec, which was produced with grapes from vines planted in 1996 on alluvial soils. This is still young and a little marked by the élevage in barrel, with spices and some creaminess, and it has the mineral sensation and fine tannins that this wine always has. It has black fruit and an earthy twist. 84,000 bottles produced.
Some of the vineyards from Catena are suffering from phylloxera, and parts of some vineyards have to be grubbed up and replanted.
Rating
91
Release Price
$22
Drink Date
2021 - 2024
Reviewed by
Luis Gutiérrez
Issue Date
31st Mar 2021
Source
End of March 2021, The Wine Advocate
The 2020 Appellation La Consulta Malbec feels quite ripe and round, a juicy and quite fruit-driven Malbec from a warmish place in a warm vintage. It's quite straightforward and easy to drink. 72,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in October and November 2020.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
CATENA MALBEC LA CONSULTA VALLE DE UCO 2021
Score
92
Sweet spices, coffee and some pine cones to the fresh blackberries and cherries. Spicy on the medium-bodied palate with dissolved, chalky tannins and plenty of spiced cherries in the smooth, medium-long finish. Plush tannins here. Drink now.
Zekun Shuai
Senior Editor
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
2021 Malbec Catena Appellation La Consulta
93
Drinking Window
2022 - 2030
From: Argentina: Making It Work with Resilience and Stylistic Ingenuity (Nov 2022)
The 2021 Malbec Catena Appellation La Consulta from the Uco Valley, was aged for eight months in barrels, a quarter of them new. Purple in hue. The aromatic profile is full of vivid fruity notes such as fresh sour cherry and plum with hints of jam and violets over a bed of oak. Fairly smooth and broad on the palate with juicy freshness and excellent flavor, this is a textbook La Consulta wine; it's a terroir that acts as a bridge between Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Bodega Catena Zapata ranks among the absolute top of the Argentine wine world. This family estate from Mendoza, founded in 1902, sparked a revolution in South American viticulture. Through high-altitude pioneering and an uncompromising focus on quality, Catena Zapata not only put the Malbec grape on the map, but also helped establish Argentina’s reputation as a serious wine-producing nation. In this article, you’ll learn more about the impressive history, the iconic wines, and the innovative character of this leading winery.
Bodega Catena Zapata: Iconic Winery from Mendoza
Bodega Catena Zapata is one of Argentina’s most influential wineries and plays a key role in shaping the global reputation of Argentine fine wine. The winery was founded in 1902 by Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant who sought his fortune in Mendoza. He planted his first vineyard with the Malbec grape, which was then still an unknown variety in Argentina.
His son, Domingo Catena, carried on his father’s dream and became one of Mendoza’s largest vineyard owners. However, the family business also faced adversity: in the 1960s, Argentina was hit by economic instability and sky-high inflation.
Nicolás Catena: The Man Who Reinvented Argentine Wine
The young Nicolás Catena, freshly graduated as an economist, took over the business in the mid-1960s. At a time when Argentina was mainly known for bulk wine production, Nicolás made the bold decision to focus on quality. Against all odds, he sold off the table wine-producing part of the family business and retained only Bodegas Esmeralda, the foundation for high-quality wines.
His vision was revolutionary: Argentina had to leverage the quality of its terroir to compete at the highest international level. He began replanting Malbec and Chardonnay at high altitudes, including in Gualtallary, a subregion in the Uco Valley located over 1,500 meters above sea level. While many believed Malbec would never ripen at that altitude, Catena proved otherwise.
Malbec as an Argentine Icon
The Malbec grape is now inseparably linked to Argentina — largely thanks to Nicolás Catena. In 1994, he released his first Catena Malbec, made from old vines in the Adrianna Vineyard. This vineyard turned out to be of exceptional quality and helped elevate the global reputation of Malbec.
Catena even planted 145 different Malbec clones and rigorously tested their suitability. Ultimately, he selected the best clones for his top-tier wines, including those from the La Pirámide vineyard.
Laura Catena: Science Meets Winemaking
In 2001, Nicolás handed over the R&D project to his daughter Laura Catena, a medical doctor with degrees from Harvard and Stanford. Her scientific background brought a new dimension to the winemaking process. Together with her team, she focused on the extreme microclimates of the high-altitude vineyards, which led to unique expressions of Malbec.
In 2004, the decision was made to ferment the grapes from these vineyards directly in new French oak barrels. This resulted in three groundbreaking Malbecs that today stand as symbols of the winery’s innovative power.
The Wines of Catena Zapata: Five Distinct Lines
The winery produces five wine lines, each with its own character and level of quality:
- Catena Zapata: The flagship cuvées, made only in exceptional vintages.
- Catena Alta: Wines from the best parcels of high-altitude vineyards.
- Catena: The core line, balancing elegance and typicity.
- Alamos: Accessible wines with excellent value for money.
- Argento: The most commercial line, aimed at a broader market (Note: this line was later spun off and is no longer directly part of Catena Zapata).
All of these wines come from vineyards located at 900 meters or higher, clearly emphasizing Catena Zapata’s commitment to terroir and elevation.
Innovation, Vision, and Terroir at Catena Zapata
Catena Zapata is a textbook example of how vision, perseverance, and innovation can lead to international acclaim. From the first Malbec plantings in 1902 to Laura Catena’s cutting-edge vinification methods, the winery continues to evolve without losing sight of its roots.
The iconic winery building, shaped like a Mayan pyramid and designed in the 1990s, symbolizes the connection between past and future. It serves as the physical and philosophical heart of the estate.
Buying Wines from Bodega Catena Zapata at Grandcruwijnen?
At Grandcruwijnen, we offer a wide selection of Catena wines. Whether you're looking for an approachable Alamos Malbec or an impressive Catena Alta Chardonnay, you'll find it in our assortment. Order easily online or pick up your wines at our pickup center in Dordrecht. Our sommeliers are happy to advise you on the best food pairings for your favorite Catena wines.