High Mountain Vines Malbec
⏳ Drinking Window
2023 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, roasted lamb chops, beef empanadas
✨ Technical Specifications
The Catena High Mountain Vines Malbec is a landmark wine that represents Argentina's viticultural revolution. In the late 20th century, Nicolás Catena Zapata challenged conventional wisdom by planting vines at extreme altitudes in the Andean foothills, where many believed grapes would never ripen. This bottling is a masterclass in high-altitude blending, sourcing fruit from select family estate vineyards at varying elevations—including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. Each vineyard site contributes a unique dimension: lower elevations offer rich, ripe plum and dark fruit flavors, while the extreme heights yield intense floral aromatics, vibrant acidity, and fine-grained tannins. The wine undergoes cold maceration and is aged in French oak barrels, resulting in a beautifully balanced, expressive representation of Mendoza's unique terroir.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena, Bodega Catena Zapata is celebrated as the pioneer that revolutionized modern Argentine winemaking and propelled Malbec onto the international stage. Located in Mendoza, the estate was transformed in the 1980s by third-generation vintner Nicolás Catena Zapata, who boldly advanced high-altitude viticulture along the Andean foothills, highlighted by the iconic Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary. Today, under the stewardship of Nicolás and his daughter Dr. Laura Catena, the winery unites traditional winemaking with groundbreaking soil and climate research via the Catena Institute of Wine. The estate is globally revered for its profound, terroir-driven expressions, exemplified by flagship cuvées such as Nicolás Catena Zapata, Malbec Argentino, and the acclaimed Adrianna Vineyard parcel-specific bottlings.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Malbec
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
13.5-14%