Deep plum color, slight garnet on the rim. Blackberry, blueberry, tobacco, cedar on the nose. Palate of black currant, cinnamon, smooth tannins with good acidity. Medium to full body, velvety texture with medium and dry finish.
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Had a glass via Coravin, so effectively a PnP. Was a bit tightly wound initially but opened and softened after 30-45 minutes of air. Floral and earthy/moss, with some cassis and cedar notes. The 14% alcohol isn’t deceptive- you notice it, especially on the initial sips before it got much air. Paired nicely with marinaded skirt steak.
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Very pleasant surprise. Lots of dark notes. Well blended. Got even better after breathing 45 minutes. Still good the next day. Should hold up well over time.
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My last 2011...and it was even better than the bottle I tasted in August! Cigar box, blueberry pie, spices, floral notes, sweet berry jam, toasted oak, rubber... Perfect balance, unctuous and concentrated, complex flavours of fruits, flowers and spices, long finish... absolutely delicious and...now!!
What a treat! Big dark fruit...smokey...toasted oak... Round and concentrated...warm and long...some floral notes as well. Delicious! Drink by 2020. 94+
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Agree with another commenter that this is overpriced. It lacked the complexity and balance you'd expect from an estate grown Malbec at $46. I enjoyed it, but won't be buying more.
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young, but yum...nose full of berry, first taste vanilla, menthol, forest. paired well with garlic drums and pasta. Not a long taste or palette, but solid for the money, I think. I have a lot of malbecs and this is a good one.
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Monthly Tasting Group LTB 2015-08; Argentina (By GWL): In the bouquet dark forest fruits, some licorice and vanilla from the oak. On the palate dark forest fruits, sweet spices and vanilla. Mild acidity and round tannin with a firm bite. Overall a full bodied wine. At this moment still too young and one-dimensional. It will benefit with some more ageing. Between 2017 and 2019? For now 86+.
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Pre-release tasting of Catena Zapata with Ernesto Bajda: Greener than the heavyweights lined up next to it, yet more profound, more ready to drink. Less concentration and markedly less complexity— although far from bland, it feels a bit bland in the company of greats. Profound and slightly stocky black fruit, good tannin, decent acidity. Shorter finish, less lift, less individuality than the top range.
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10/10/2023 - strangedaze Likes this wine: 88 Points
Deep plum color, slight garnet on the rim. Blackberry, blueberry, tobacco, cedar on the nose. Palate of black currant, cinnamon, smooth tannins with good acidity. Medium to full body, velvety texture with medium and dry finish.
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1/14/2022 - weezie Likes this wine: 91 Points
Had a glass via Coravin, so effectively a PnP. Was a bit tightly wound initially but opened and softened after 30-45 minutes of air. Floral and earthy/moss, with some cassis and cedar notes. The 14% alcohol isn’t deceptive- you notice it, especially on the initial sips before it got much air. Paired nicely with marinaded skirt steak.
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4/5/2021 - iamandyc Likes this wine: 90 Points
Really solid Malbec that is plush and with nice dark notes and ample structure. Ready to go with minimal air.
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5/3/2020 - Tbmatthews Likes this wine: 88 Points
Rich dark berries (blackberry, black currant); good limestone. A little spice on the nose—slight pepper notes
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3/29/2020 - Bob and Joli Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very good wine. Sophisticated berries. Complex. Open for an hour. Will hold up the next day. Share with friends confidently.
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12/23/2019 - klaus3974 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicious mature malbec. Bold, powerful, dark fruits. Cigar box spices. Very concentrated flavours. Still going but at its peak probably.
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11/16/2019 - Bob and Joli Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very pleasant surprise. Lots of dark notes. Well blended.
Got even better after breathing 45 minutes. Still good the next day.
Should hold up well over time.
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11/9/2019 - HorstPeak Likes this wine: 90 Points
Ready to drink, may last another 5 year?
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10/25/2018 - smolden Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drinking well now. Tobacco, plum notes
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10/12/2018 - ChateauDutremble Likes this wine: 95 Points
My last 2011...and it was even better than the bottle I tasted in August! Cigar box, blueberry pie, spices, floral notes, sweet berry jam, toasted oak, rubber... Perfect balance, unctuous and concentrated, complex flavours of fruits, flowers and spices, long finish... absolutely delicious and...now!!
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8/3/2018 - ChateauDutremble Likes this wine: 94 Points
What a treat! Big dark fruit...smokey...toasted oak... Round and concentrated...warm and long...some floral notes as well. Delicious! Drink by 2020. 94+
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3/12/2018 - easttide Likes this wine: 92 Points
wow. like a different beast all together from what I recalled from the first bottle. this was fantastic.
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2/15/2017 - easttide wrote: 88 Points
Gift. Utterly average for a $50 bottle of wine.
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10/11/2016 - Margaux Bro Likes this wine: 89 Points
Agree with another commenter that this is overpriced. It lacked the complexity and balance you'd expect from an estate grown Malbec at $46. I enjoyed it, but won't be buying more.
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6/17/2016 - Tpairing wrote: 90 Points
Well round Malbec. Nose and taste excellent !
Complimented beef chort ribs grilled.
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4/16/2016 - pitcrewstrategist wrote: 90 Points
young, but yum...nose full of berry, first taste vanilla, menthol, forest. paired well with garlic drums and pasta. Not a long taste or palette, but solid for the money, I think. I have a lot of malbecs and this is a good one.
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4/8/2016 - Iceman611 wrote: 90 Points
Good but overpriced. Other vintages were much better. This is similar to the basic catena Malbec.
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2/28/2016 - Whistler Whino Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bordeaux meets Barossa to create this great Argentinean Malbec.
Paired well with ribeye and chimichurri.
Nose of vanilla, licorice, black currant, smoke and cedar. Flavors of blackberry, blueberry and menthol.
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12/6/2015 - Vinologo wrote:
drink next to a grill.
drink now to 2018
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11/26/2015 - Zweder wrote: 86 Points
Monthly Tasting Group LTB 2015-08; Argentina (By GWL): In the bouquet dark forest fruits, some licorice and vanilla from the oak. On the palate dark forest fruits, sweet spices and vanilla. Mild acidity and round tannin with a firm bite. Overall a full bodied wine. At this moment still too young and one-dimensional. It will benefit with some more ageing. Between 2017 and 2019? For now 86+.
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11/12/2015 - kenthargis wrote: 86 Points
Expected more from this. It wasn't bad. Had nice fruit, some depth, decent finish. But didn't have the some of the flavor profile I love from malbec.
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7/13/2015 - maxima wrote: 89 Points
Ample et corsé, beaucoup de tannins encore.
Fruits noirs et un brin asséchant en finale. Très long.
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6/29/2015 - JohnRMurdoch Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is a really good rich spicy woody full bodied malbec. One of the best I have had
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6/18/2015 - Motz wrote: 90 Points
A high quality, well made Malbec. Excellent weight, very good balance. A year or two should serve it well. 90-91.
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3/24/2015 - pdev wrote: 92 Points
burnt match stick, dark berry, good structure & plush mid palate. Oak is well managed. Plums, good length. Excellent wine & easy to enjoy.
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2/13/2015 - Abharwine wrote: 89 Points
Another restaurant purchase and yet another from Bodegas Catena. High quality Malbec from a quality bodega.
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2/1/2015 - sc03852 wrote:
4 - Perfume, gamey, morish, fragrant, sweet, full palette
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2/1/2015 - cadams wrote: 91 Points
Blackberry, pepper, spice, bacon, smooth, medium acid, medium finish.
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11/24/2014 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
High toned for a Malbec with a solid core of fruit and hints of reduction. Lay down for another year.
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9/11/2014 - Timbalimba wrote: 91 Points
Pre-release tasting of Catena Zapata with Ernesto Bajda: Greener than the heavyweights lined up next to it, yet more profound, more ready to drink. Less concentration and markedly less complexity— although far from bland, it feels a bit bland in the company of greats. Profound and slightly stocky black fruit, good tannin, decent acidity. Shorter finish, less lift, less individuality than the top range.
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5/10/2014 - Nova5400 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fruit forward, full bodied red with nicely balanced tannins
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