Catena Tasting

Tasted Wednesday, February 6, 2008 by hutch with 579 views

Introduction

A wonderful tasting of Catena wines. Again and again, these high quality wines overdelivered on their price points. However, they are for the most part fairly heavy on the oak, although I thought it was always used in balance.

Flight 1 (1 Note)

  • 2006 Alamos Torrontés 86 Points

    Argentina, Valles Calchaquíes, Salta

    2/6/08: Pretty much the same impressions. 85-86

    10/19/07: Man, I just don't know what to say about this strange grape. Rich tropical fruits burst from an insanely explosive nose. But just like many viogners, the palate doesn't really follow thru. There's an element here that is closer to cat piss then I get from NZ SB's. Perhaps I'm just into strange smells and tastes, but I wasn't even bothered by said cat piss. It was kinda interesting, adding some complexity. There's a haunting finish to this too, of I know not what. Fairly rich on the palate, with a hollow spot that really detracts from the overall experience of liking this wine, which I'm really close to doing. Just needs a little more zip. But worth the cost of entry. 86

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Flight 2 (2 Notes)

  • 2006 Alamos Chardonnay 88 Points

    Argentina, Mendoza

    We loved the '04, were not as happy with the '05, and I'm very happy that the '06 is back to being spot on. Oaky, vanilla spice thing mixing with the tropical fruits on the nose. The tropical fruits continue on the palate, and finish with wonderful juicy acidity. This way overdelivers for the price point, and is another esteemed by the cae buy. 88+

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  • 2006 Tilia Chardonnay 83 Points

    Argentina, Mendoza

    Very muted nose. Probably shouldn't have tried this after the much more flamboyant Alamos. Nice acidity, very restrained. 83-84

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Flight 3 (1 Note)

Flight 4 (2 Notes)

  • 2006 Alamos Pinot Noir Selección 82 Points

    Argentina, Mendoza

    I seem to be in the minority in not enjoying this wine. Slightly earthy nose. slightly sour on the finish. Fairly fruit forward. Doesn't really scream pinot to me, or anything, for that matter. 81-83

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  • 2006 Alamos Malbec 87 Points

    Argentina, Mendoza

    Well, this seems to be a popular wine. Dark purple color. Touch of earth behind the full fruit. Quite pleasant. 87ish

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Flight 5 (3 Notes)

Flight 6 (2 Notes)

Flight 7 (2 Notes)

  • 2004 Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Catena Alta 94 Points

    Argentina, Mendoza

    This was a rocking bottle of wine. Beautiful nose. Stunning on the palate, with a seamless integration of the myriad flavors and structural components. Nothing sticks out. A great mesh of rustic flavors and phenolics with super smooth fruit and soft oak. Ridiculously easy to drink right now. I would have been happy with this even if it was priced like the Zapata... 93-94

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  • 2004 Bodega Catena Zapata Cabernet Sauvignon Catena Alta 92 Points

    Argentina, Mendoza

    Phenomenal nose, although not as impressive as the Malbec. Concentrated blackberry fruit mingling with the spiciness of oak. A real stunner of a cab, but it doesn't rise to that next level of the Malbec. 92+

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