Catena Alta Historic Rows Malbec 2021

In 1994, Nicolás Catena made the first premium varietal Malbec to be exported world-wide from Argentina. It took him fifteen years of vineyard research and three years of experimentation at the winery before Nicolas and daughter Laura decided to bottle the first Catena Malbec. They identified the best vineyard rows of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Malbec and made the first vintages of the Catena Alta wines in very small quantities. Catena Alta continues to be a limited production of single varietal wines made from a selected few rows in the Catena family's vineyards. These special barrels undergo a rigorous second selection at the winery. The Catena Alta wines can usually be drunk after three years from harvest and well into the following decades. This Catena Alta Malbec presents a dark, opaque violet colour, almost blackish in hue. The nose offers freshly ground, ripe berry fruits with layers of wild flowers, cinnamon spice, and a touch of citrus. The mouthfeel is full and coating, with exceptional weight and concentration but with a soft, supple texture. The mid palate offers rich cassis and black currant fruit flavours interwoven with hints of chocolate, vanilla and black pepper. The lengthy finish shows wonderful minerality, with fine-grained tannins and lively acidity.