Dark fruits and currant followed by a velevty texture with integrated, rich tannins and beautiful flavors including cassis and vanilla oak. Very inviting, unctuous wine - excited to see that this is still singing. Catena zapata is quite the power house.
p.s. homemade pozole with mexican street corn...heaven
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A testament to the quality when the basic blended Malbec ages so well and exceeds all expectations. Punches way above it's modest release price -crazy quality here for the $
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Opened two bottles with a group last night. Absolutely fantastic with grilled New York steaks and rigatoni. It is at its peak and I do not think it will get better. The flavors and mouth feel were delicious.
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Fine, restrained nose with dark fruits predominant. Good deep colour and expressive nose when it opened. Lovely, typical Malbec with a great balance of rich, sweet fruit, spice, gentle acidity and tannin. Elegant, quite meaty, and long. Went very well with roast beef, tasted side by side with a much younger Vistalba Corte C 2013 which was a very drinkable, good wine but not quite in this league. A fine wine, as expected from Catena Zapata. Still plenty of life - no need to hurry......
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I opened another bottle a couple of months ago that, while ok, had shown signs of being slightly over the hill. However this was fresh as a daisy. After an hour it was beginning to sing with currants and tobacco flavours. Yum...
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To look at this wine is quite opaque which I usually regard as a bad sign, but it has a beautiful nose, and blackberries, currants and a bit of BBQ meat on the palate. Very enjoyable and probably drinking at its peak.
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Very ripe and needed significant time to bloom. Paired with spicy sausage and red sauce penne. Stood up well to those strong flavors. Aroma very broad and lingering. Should have drunk a bit sooner, but still tasty. Required a lot of filtering but still not overly dry in the mouth.
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Inky purple color, blackberry fruit with hints of licorice and spice. Strong fruit without the cloying sweetness of typical fruit bombs. Easy to drink without a strong tannic aftertaste.
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Plenty of fruit in the nose. I should have decanted longer as all I could taste was earth/ asphalt until the very end. Was much better when paired with beef.
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Comme le magret de canard aux champignons, accompagné d'un risotto, était excellent et que la soirée était belle, cette deuxième bouteille, avec les mêmes caractéristiques que la première, a connu également la même fin grâce à la généreuse contribution de Renée ...
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Ai trouvé ce vin intéressant, au niveau de la couleur, du nez et de la jambe, mais un peu grossier au goût car le bois est trop accentué ... Je ne compte pas renouveler cet achat ...
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Med deep to deep, still amazingly purple-red - leathery black fruit nose w good lift - nicely balanced, good acidity, love the dark berry fruit - still quite youthful, but I'd consume now - palate is full fruit, but not OTT - extracted but not heavy - best with something on the grill - significant full ripe tannins - a consistently good QPR wine.
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Deep purple in the glass. Nose of sweet fruit jam, garden dirt, a tiny hint of flowers. In the mouth: tons of mixed berries and earth with a little bit of oak. Lush feel in the mouth with medium acidity, very fine tannins. Wet stone comes out on the short finish.
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Dark purple color with a nose of dried currant, oak, and blueberry. This is a full-bodied, voluptuous wine with very pleasant black cherry fruit that greets you at the onset combined with nuances of dark berries, leather and oak enveloped in a smooth, velvety texture. This is very easy to drink, and the tannins are surprisingly tame even at a young stage. The finish is quite long and supple, though not as complex as its Cabernet Sauvignon counterpart. Fantastic wine! Drink now until 2015.
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Very good, solid malbec. Very dark, almost opaque, with lots of spice, dark fruit and wood on the nose. Medium plus body, very well balanced. Velvety mouthfeel with medium long fruit finish.
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Popped and poured as 2nd bottle of the night. Tannins had softened nicely, leaving the typical malbec dark fruit behind. Surprisingly more old world notes than the 06 or 07. Very good malbec for the price
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i have to apologize to the producer and all readers for the last note that i wrote. perhaps it was an off bottle. after that tasting, i i never would have anticipated the pleasures offered by tonite's bottle. i also have to say that parker nailed this one. this bottle offered up everything i could want in a malbec from argentina. i guess i have to qualify that by saying "under $25" since i have yet to taste more expensive bottlings. the nose arose from the glass immediately and was persistent. the wine remained fresh for 45 minutes. the wine demonstrated excellent fruit extraction, depth and concentration. the flavor profile was uniquely expressive of the region. the wine begs to be paired with the best beef available. what a treat. i am running after the 2007 which is supposed to be better.
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Bouteille dégustée lors d'un repas de cuisses de dinde confites dans le gras de canard, accompagnée de pommes de terre à la grecque et de salade aux canneberges et oignons ... Ce vin, d'une belle robe sombre, gorgé de fruits, n'a pas fait le poids après un merlot chilien, Montes Alpha 2005 ... Heureusement, deux autres bouteilles en cave auront l'occasion de se faire valoir ...
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way too much "this is great"/"this is crap" commentary here. This bottle is simply a mid-weight, soft Malbec of good quality. Probably its defining characteristic is apparent diacetyl that integrates half an hour after opening.
not really a buy and hold or stock up sort of wine, but worth the price and quite versatile.
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Dumb, muted, closed for over two hours. Six hour mark revisit: glory. N: M+ intens, Iron, beef blood, red currant paste, spiced coffee, huge sandalwood, mint leaf P: silken, Hi- body, M+ acid, M- drying grainey tannins, Hi- length fin. Spicey cedar, spiced chai, black coffee, black currant jam, black peppercorns. Big extraction, shows like a built Napa cab, drink from '11 to '13+
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To be fair, I had a very fine, mature Grand Cru Burgundy at lunch, and both my palate and body were tired when I had this with dinner. But from the first sip this Catena was bitter, woody and fake tasting. There is some fruit, and some sweetness, and it paired well with the simply Tex-Mex lasagna I was eating. But all in all, not very good.
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This wine really didn't have much good going for it. It was dark in color, and had good concentration, but concentration doesn't count for much if the underlying flavors are not good. This is bitter, astringent, and tastes fake - it is a dark red wine flavored beverage. Not my thing.
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I am not sure about the drink window on this bottle - but it was rancid. Even my wife wouldn't drink it and she will drink just about anything. Hopeful that my other bottle will be better.
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Exceeded expectations. Intense, but not syrup-ish, dark and red fruit (particulary black cherry). Leather note. International style. Nice nose. Suggst 1-2 hour decant (was showing little on Day 1, but really blossomed on Days 2 and 3). Would definitely by more for $18 I paid.
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Deep ruby red color. Cherry, pepper, fig, smoke and forest floor scent. Full body, rich, sweet spice and boysenberry taste with smooth tannins and a soft finish.
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Nose was a little vegetal and funky on first opening, but improved dramatically after 30-40 min or so of aeration. Nice fruity blackberry/plum nose and palate. A little too acidic (VA?), mostly noticeable on the late palate and finish. A little past its prime already?
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Gorgeous nose, plum, black cherry and creamy. This was just delicous. Black cherry is surrounded by layers of flavor and complex nuances. Will get more.
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It took the wine 45 minutes in the decanter to open up. The wine had a fruity nose, dominated by dark berries (particularly blackberry, maybe fig and blueberry), with a subtle plastic component. The palate was dominated by dark fruit, with blackberry, blueberry, maybe fig, liquorice and sweet, smooth tannins. The wine was very smooth and balanced. The finish, however, was rather short.
Our guests and we liked this fruity, balanced, easy-drinking wine. The finish was a little disappointing compared to the overall quality and the wine was lacking depth, but it was simply delicious and delivered great value. I will definitely by this wine again. (88-89)
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A quality Malbec. Surprisingly – to me – this proved to be the wine of the night amongst many more well-regarded labels. Dark purple color. Overwhelming dark fruit nose. Layers of dark fruit – cherry and blackberry – on the palate amidst some vanilla and pepper flavors. Light finish, though. Beautifully oaked. Well balanced. Drinking very nicely now. Above-average QPR. Delicious.
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It is, as they say, a very well-made wine for the money, but I think I am just not that into Malbec as a stand-alone varietal, however much I wanted to be. I keep revisiting the wines of this region but while I am happy with the quality I don't fall in love. I would like to try a blend that uses Malbec as a focus but rounds, deepens, and softens with the addition of merlot and or cabernet. For this the fruit profile lacks purity, what exactly am I looking for or tasting? But the main problem I have is that while the entry is a bit sweet, that drops off into bitterness, and not the pleasant bitter chocolate kind either, but actual bitterness. The finish is too short and I kept wishing for some Merlot or Cab in there to soften the second act and lead into a third...
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A full bodied but beautifully balanced wine that is drinking very well right now. Deep, dark nose with some dark cherries, meat and notes of vanilla in there. In the mouth smooth tannins and good complexity. Surprisingly easy to drink. This wine is just the right side of the full-bodied spectrum - it avoids being too cloying or big. Overall very good for the price (£10).
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Lush, oppulent but well structured with a nice follow through. This has a softness to it that is underpinned by some lovely tannins and a light streak of acidity that lent this wine towards big, rustic food. It was probably a bit fuller than I was expecting, but for £10 I'd definately buy again. More of a bbq wine than one for drinking while contemplating the intricacies of existensialism. Overall good.
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This is an excellent example of a Malbec- rich and dark in color with beautiful nose, firm structure and balance with lots of fruit- better than most napa wines and a quarter of the price!
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Dark berries and loamy earth on the nose. Smooth, medium-to-full body. Plum, black raspberry and a hint of chocolate on the palate. Nice balance of fruit and acidity, with fine tannins.
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I love this wine, the ones I have tasted were largely consistent. Others must also like this wine as the price seems to be going up. Still a real good value.
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Balanced wine with vanill mocha flavors and light tannins. I initially picked up some grassy, celery components when first opened but now they have disappeared. Good wine but I don't think it's a great QPR.
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Silky smooth and heavy in the mouth. Last time I had a bottle, was just after a 2006 Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy and there was such a difference between the two that I scored this an 84. Much better when it's on it's own. Pleasure to drink and our company enjoyed very much.
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Amazing price point for this quality! Delicious, meaty, fruit-forward nose. Notes of italian sausage, pepper, plum, and a bit of oak... This is a definitely a go-to wine for any occasion!
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Dark purple color. The nose gives off flowers and some damp earth. The is a very fruit forward wine. Jammy plumb dominates the flavor profile. The finish gives out very early. Less complex for a wine in this price range should be. There are better options in the same range.
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Color: Almost opaque purple with a lighter rim. Aroma: At first yeast and dusty floral notes, a wave of smoked meat, plums, cocoa, and some day old campfire. Taste: In separate tastes I alternately get some nice cherries, strawberry (twizzler), sweet red plums up front. The fruit flavors seem to carry through to the middle where it is joined by some milk chocolate and llght smokiness.
This is nice, easy drinking stuff for sure. No need to decant this thing. Just pop, pour, swish, and it's good to go. I love wines like this; great value, great drinkers, and great with food. No guilt and plenty of pleasure. The world needs more wines like this. It's a bit simplistic, but who cares? The aromas peel off in layers and the wine evolves in mouth over time, so you can enjoy that too.
What's not to like?
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Today was the first time I consumed this without food. A sunny afternoon in they yard and we chose to drink a bottle of Catena Malbec. Together with a juicy beef this is a stellar wine, but quite frankly - this favorite of mine did not perform as well without food. Perhaps a little too heavy and full bodied to enjoy on its own. Also, maybe the contrast to the light Chinon Cab Franc (Chinon La Baronnie Madeleine) we had earlier was too much.
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Big, bold color and fruit right off the bat. Smacks you in the face with structure of an Aussie Shiraz but mellows out much quicker and becomes a very nice wine within 30 minutes. Plum is present and noticeable with subtle cocoa, oak and vanilla. Pleasant mouth feel with an even better finish. Going to revisit next year and see if it improves.
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Ink in color. Blackberry fruit, spice, and a bit of funk (gym socks?) on the restrained nose but the flavor delivers abundant, lush, bright black fruit with a nice long finish. Very good QPR.
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Excellent Malbec with dark color with fruit to match- very well balanced and already fully integrated- love the nose and the long finish- I can't believe how good this is for the price!
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This is a very well-made wine for the money. Lots of dark fruits, smooth and silky and framed by judicious use of wood, giving a spicy mocha finish. delicious. IMO, one of the best wines available anywhere, for around $15.
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Nose: wet dog, rotten grapes, berries, oak!!! Taste: smooth, long lasting, oakey, fruit bomb, fascinating and weird initial hit. some vegetal/asparagus on the initial taste, silky and empty on mid-palate, ends with a small kick, leaves mouth coated. Summary: I wouldn't buy this again. It didn't make me smile when I tasted it. Was a bit empty and a bit of a turnoff.
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Smooth, subtle and well structured. Inky in color with very mild tannins, this wine begins and ends with the fruit. Plum and dark cherry flavors. The finish is very short. All in all a pleasant wine to drink with or without food.
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Did not enjoy as much as the 2004. Color was purple.bouquet was wet fields and grass. Vegatable over tones, with cherry. Velvet mouthfeel that saved the bottle for me, but I never bonded with this wine.
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Once again Catena Zapata delivers a top quality wine for a low QPR. Nobody does Malbec like Argentina, and CZ is the best. The 2004 fell a little short of the benchmark but with the 2005 the're back on stride.I won't go into a lengthy tasty note except to say this wine is ready to drink now and should be enjoyed over the next 3-5 years. For an entry level wine, CZ doesn't disappoint and sets the bar high for quality at this QPR. I purchased a case upon release, and after several bottles I'll be going back for more. This wine is a real crowd pleaser, so stock up while you can.
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Nose of blackberry, sweet oak, mocha, and maybe a little toast. Palate is smooth and soft, subtle tannins but well structured, with the fruit up front and some earth in the background. Mid palate a bit hollow, and finish is rather short and less complex than the nose and palate-- a bit disappointing. However, this is a well balanced and well structured wine for the price, and I'm really at a loss for how it will age. Easy drinking and enjoyable.
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Decanted 30 minutes to 1 hr. Already Drinkable. Aroma: black berries on the nose. On the Glass: it has a deep purple rim, suggesting a good aging ability, which is also true because Catena stuff aren't filtered. Taste: on the mouth I feel silky chocolate with some young tannic notes that followed. The stains on the glass is deep violet too. Argentinean stuff sure can age ! In my cellar awaits the Catena Alta Malbec, let's see how that turns out in a few years.
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A judicious use of oak on the nose, with PLUMP blackberry, black currant, vanilla, even chocolate aromatics on the nose. This is dark deep sexy and brooding.
Extremely soft, scrumptious chewy wine that is concentrated with flavors of chocolate, sweet raspberry and cherry flavors. This wine has depth and structure that is coated in pure SEX.
Long, pure and extracted.
91pts
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Not as good as earlier bottles. Velvet dominates! Soft round tannins complete the enjoyable fruity experience. Anyway, a good softer steak companion than a Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Very nice, excellent QPR - Dark purple, concentrated with strong notes of plum, cherry and oak on the nose, decent tannic structure, yet smooth on the palate with good length, nice job (90 Points).
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Pretty good - not just big and burly but plenty of berry fruit as well as being big and burly. Malbec is not my favourite grape - I find them a bit matt, beefy and lacking subtlety but I'd buy this one again. Probably better on a summer's day with a steak cooked on the bbq than in the depths of winter with a pheasant and mushroom risotto.
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Just ok. Probably won't touch another bottle for a few years. We had this after a Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy and what a change of direction that was. Will have to re-evaluate after a solo tasting.
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Crimson-purple; blackberries, tar, cedar; restrained berry, medium body, good acidity, firm ripe tannins, decent finish. Decanted 2 hrs. More Bordeaux-like and less rustic than most Argentine Malbecs. Consistently excellent.
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Catena Tasting: Bright, fruit filled nose. Some mint hits on the nose and following through on the palate. Full concentration, clean, and very well made. There is some judicous use of oak which I found well integrated but I could see bothering some. 88-89
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The first Malbec I can recall drinking. Interesting. Fruity, but not overwhelmingly so. Blackberries, Blueberries, dark fruit. Good balance. Interesting finish. Need to try some of the other different Malbec's I have laying around to compare. Nice wine, especially for the price.
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Popped and poured. Nice Malbec with a little complexity to it. Berries on the nose, give way to smoke and leather on the palate, with some red fruit thrown in. well balanced and medium bodied. nice tasting wine
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Violets and blueberries give way to fennel and celery on the nose. Prunes and dried cherries dominate on the palate. A nice finish with well balanced h too much heat. Overall a fantastic Argentinean malbec, and a very nice wine at the price point. 87-88 pts.
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This is one solid producer, and yet another wine to support that is the '05 Malbec. A bit of brett on the nose, which soon blows off. Rich and jammy blackberry and blueberry fruit on the nose with a whaff of insense and spices. The palate is firm with gripping tannins at first, and then subside to medium bodied, fruit filled, juicy berries 'n cream.
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I am humming through my case. I now decant this wine for a good several hours, at least. Today, is it my mood, or am i more insightful(?), but i am liking this more than i recall in the past. The nose is muted, possibly hints of green olive. In the mouth I get a very refreshing burst of sour cherry, with some subtle vegetal flavors on the midpalate, and then a subtle herby flavor to the end (which i think is rosemary-like). There are some tannins to provide structure, but nothing rough or harsh. In spite of some of the more subtle 'green flavors' there is no escaping the underlying fresh cherry attack. Very nice, and at 15$ a no-brainer.
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Black Berry and smoke. A bit to much alcohol and acid. Overall a nice Argentina malbec. Very dark purple color. I think the wine maker may have left something on the table with his wine. I think the wine maker could have done more with it. It certainly grew on me. I decanted for about one hour before consuming. Good for the price point.
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dark purple color with lively bright rims. lots of freshly picked blackberries on the nose with hints of flowers. full bodied with ripe tannins and lots of juicy boysenberry flavors with hints of spice, toast and chocolate. not amazing, but a very fun wine for $20. 12 months in mostly french oak, 20% new. 13.5% alcohol.
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VERY GOOD. VISUAL: M+ intensity, ruby/purple, numerous M legs. NOSE: Black fruit (cherry), vanilla, toasted oak, light raisin, M intensity, complexity and persistence. PALATE: M+ body, M- intensity, M acidity, alcohol and tannins (young). FINISH: Nice balance and finish (15s). OVERALL: 89 points.
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A little young now; I think it will improve slightly by smoothing out and putting on a little more weight. A nice daily wine to drink that is a good value at $22. Nice red fruits with a little structure. The tannins need a little time to settle.
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this producer has a long and romantic history, bringing italian winemaking traditions to mendoza. we recently sampled the 2004 at a wine festival. the 2005 is not quite as opulent, and, in my opinion, does not quite earn the 90 points assigned by specatator. it is a pleasant drinking bottle but not very substantial. still carries sufficient interest such that i hope to enjoy some of his more select bottlings.
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Tasted at Astrid & Gaston, Lima. Dark color, with slightly purple border. Medium bodied, medium tannins. Well balanced. Blackberry. Pretty straight forward. A pleasant wine, very drinkable, but not amazing. It hasn't got the usual character of other argentinian malbecs.
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Deep ruby, black center. Black fruit and smoke on the nose. Youthful tannins on the palate, but a bit one-dimensional and a relatively short finish. Good everyday Malbec.
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2/13/2021 - dkentaustin Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark fruits and currant followed by a velevty texture with integrated, rich tannins and beautiful flavors including cassis and vanilla oak. Very inviting, unctuous wine - excited to see that this is still singing. Catena zapata is quite the power house.
p.s. homemade pozole with mexican street corn...heaven
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6/25/2019 - dmpperry Likes this wine:
Travis like it
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5/28/2019 - bon vivant wrote: 90 Points
A testament to the quality when the basic blended Malbec ages so well and exceeds all expectations. Punches way above it's modest release price -crazy quality here for the $
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9/22/2017 - ballens wrote: 94 Points
Opened two bottles with a group last night. Absolutely fantastic with grilled New York steaks and rigatoni. It is at its peak and I do not think it will get better. The flavors and mouth feel were delicious.
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6/21/2015 - johnrm Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fine, restrained nose with dark fruits predominant. Good deep colour and expressive nose when it opened.
Lovely, typical Malbec with a great balance of rich, sweet fruit, spice, gentle acidity and tannin. Elegant, quite meaty, and long. Went very well with roast beef, tasted side by side with a much younger Vistalba Corte C 2013 which was a very drinkable, good wine but not quite in this league.
A fine wine, as expected from Catena Zapata.
Still plenty of life - no need to hurry......
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10/7/2013 - redbrix wrote: 80 Points
Decent Malbec with berry and grassy notes. Some tannins.
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4/19/2013 - Janstan Likes this wine: 88 Points
easy to drink, fresh, pure but one dimensional
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4/6/2013 - eniskonuk wrote: 89 Points
- Garnet color.
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9/3/2012 - Dbesserer wrote: flawed
Corked
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7/28/2012 - PlanetX wrote: 90 Points
A wine that has aged very nicely. Still has great fruit and has balanced our nicely. A few years left for sure.
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7/23/2012 - Julian B wrote: 92 Points
I opened another bottle a couple of months ago that, while ok, had shown signs of being slightly over the hill. However this was fresh as a daisy. After an hour it was beginning to sing with currants and tobacco flavours. Yum...
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5/23/2012 - G & J Wines wrote:
- Flavours of butterscotch.
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5/23/2012 - G & J Wines wrote:
- Crimsom color and has flavours of dusty.
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5/23/2012 - G & J Wines wrote:
- Crimsom color.
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4/6/2012 - eniskonuk wrote: 90 Points
- Garnet color and has flavours of black pepper and walnut.
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3/25/2012 - Julian B wrote: 91 Points
To look at this wine is quite opaque which I usually regard as a bad sign, but it has a beautiful nose, and blackberries, currants and a bit of BBQ meat on the palate. Very enjoyable and probably drinking at its peak.
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11/20/2011 - GEV wrote: 86 Points
A little off on the nose but fine on the pallet.
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11/7/2011 - VinoDiver wrote: 85 Points
A very good everyday wine. Drinking well now, don't see this improving with more time.
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9/29/2011 - Cragles wrote: 89 Points
- Purple color - Still drinking very nicely ... All by itself
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7/29/2011 - PNWForest wrote: 82 Points
Very ripe and needed significant time to bloom. Paired with spicy sausage and red sauce penne. Stood up well to those strong flavors. Aroma very broad and lingering. Should have drunk a bit sooner, but still tasty. Required a lot of filtering but still not overly dry in the mouth.
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7/10/2011 - devman wrote: 88 Points
Farmy smell. Rich, creamy and luscious on the palate. quite nice.
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3/12/2011 - kdwoodrow@gmail.com wrote: 91 Points
Inky purple color, blackberry fruit with hints of licorice and spice. Strong fruit without the cloying sweetness of typical fruit bombs. Easy to drink without a strong tannic aftertaste.
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2/23/2011 - SDBhatt wrote: 88 Points
Decanting for 3 hours revealed much more from this bottle than the last. Better, but don't open this unless you have a decent steak laying around.
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2/16/2011 - Redcab wrote: 91 Points
Very nice big fruit - once it opened up
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1/23/2011 - whudock wrote: 90 Points
strong, complex and solid fruit. A great match for a steak
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11/11/2010 - SDBhatt wrote: 86 Points
Plenty of fruit in the nose. I should have decanted longer as all I could taste was earth/ asphalt until the very end. Was much better when paired with beef.
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11/6/2010 - wertyu wrote: 88 Points
Deep color, rich in fruit and texture, decent value.
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10/7/2010 - stomini wrote: 88 Points
Agree good QPR. Smooth, good balance of fruit and tannin. Decanted, but slightly better after two hours. Wish I had more.
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7/23/2010 - Bro wrote: 80 Points
Comme le magret de canard aux champignons, accompagné d'un risotto, était excellent et que la soirée était belle, cette deuxième bouteille, avec les mêmes caractéristiques que la première, a connu également la même fin grâce à la généreuse contribution de Renée ...
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7/23/2010 - Bro wrote: 80 Points
Ai trouvé ce vin intéressant, au niveau de la couleur, du nez et de la jambe, mais un peu grossier au goût car le bois est trop accentué ... Je ne compte pas renouveler cet achat ...
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7/14/2010 - MountainMak wrote: 89 Points
wonderful.... should have bought more. consumed the whole bottle with spag + turkey sausage/tomato sauce... yummy
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5/26/2010 - winot wrote: 90 Points
Med deep to deep, still amazingly purple-red - leathery black fruit nose w good lift - nicely balanced, good acidity, love the dark berry fruit - still quite youthful, but I'd consume now - palate is full fruit, but not OTT - extracted but not heavy - best with something on the grill - significant full ripe tannins - a consistently good QPR wine.
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3/1/2010 - suzanna9452000 wrote: 87 Points
Deep purple in the glass. Nose of sweet fruit jam, garden dirt, a tiny hint of flowers. In the mouth: tons of mixed berries and earth with a little bit of oak. Lush feel in the mouth with medium acidity, very fine tannins. Wet stone comes out on the short finish.
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2/28/2010 - Life At Your Leisure 🍷 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark purple color with a nose of dried currant, oak, and blueberry. This is a full-bodied, voluptuous wine with very pleasant black cherry fruit that greets you at the onset combined with nuances of dark berries, leather and oak enveloped in a smooth, velvety texture. This is very easy to drink, and the tannins are surprisingly tame even at a young stage. The finish is quite long and supple, though not as complex as its Cabernet Sauvignon counterpart. Fantastic wine! Drink now until 2015.
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2/14/2010 - twojcicki wrote: 85 Points
Very good, solid malbec. Very dark, almost opaque, with lots of spice, dark fruit and wood on the nose. Medium plus body, very well balanced. Velvety mouthfeel with medium long fruit finish.
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2/5/2010 - mattyboy76 wrote: 87 Points
Popped and poured as 2nd bottle of the night. Tannins had softened nicely, leaving the typical malbec dark fruit behind. Surprisingly more old world notes than the 06 or 07. Very good malbec for the price
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2/1/2010 - walsh9698 wrote: 89 Points
Still drinking very well.
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1/28/2010 - bacchus wrote: 91 Points
i have to apologize to the producer and all readers for the last note that i wrote. perhaps it was an off bottle. after that tasting, i i never would have anticipated the pleasures offered by tonite's bottle. i also have to say that parker nailed this one. this bottle offered up everything i could want in a malbec from argentina. i guess i have to qualify that by saying "under $25" since i have yet to taste more expensive bottlings. the nose arose from the glass immediately and was persistent. the wine remained fresh for 45 minutes. the wine demonstrated excellent fruit extraction, depth and concentration. the flavor profile was uniquely expressive of the region. the wine begs to be paired with the best beef available. what a treat. i am running after the 2007 which is supposed to be better.
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1/9/2010 - Bro wrote: 80 Points
Bouteille dégustée lors d'un repas de cuisses de dinde confites dans le gras de canard, accompagnée de pommes de terre à la grecque et de salade aux canneberges et oignons ... Ce vin, d'une belle robe sombre, gorgé de fruits, n'a pas fait le poids après un merlot chilien, Montes Alpha 2005 ... Heureusement, deux autres bouteilles en cave auront l'occasion de se faire valoir ...
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11/22/2009 - Tzamir wrote: 80 Points
Extremely mediocre wine. Wife thought it was completely undrinkable.
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10/24/2009 - nogohawk wrote: 90 Points
Nice dark color - plum and cherries; tannins have balanced and softened - VG malbec
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10/24/2009 - drgrape wrote: 88 Points
Dark color, medium body, blackberries, short finish
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9/30/2009 - hankj wrote: 88 Points
way too much "this is great"/"this is crap" commentary here. This bottle is simply a mid-weight, soft Malbec of good quality. Probably its defining characteristic is apparent diacetyl that integrates half an hour after opening.
not really a buy and hold or stock up sort of wine, but worth the price and quite versatile.
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9/1/2009 - GETRENNT wrote: 95 Points
Dumb, muted, closed for over two hours. Six hour mark revisit: glory.
N: M+ intens, Iron, beef blood, red currant paste, spiced coffee, huge sandalwood, mint leaf
P: silken, Hi- body, M+ acid, M- drying grainey tannins, Hi- length fin.
Spicey cedar, spiced chai, black coffee, black currant jam, black peppercorns. Big extraction, shows like a built Napa cab, drink from '11 to '13+
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9/1/2009 - herberto wrote: 84 Points
To be fair, I had a very fine, mature Grand Cru Burgundy at lunch, and both my palate and body were tired when I had this with dinner. But from the first sip this Catena was bitter, woody and fake tasting. There is some fruit, and some sweetness, and it paired well with the simply Tex-Mex lasagna I was eating. But all in all, not very good.
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8/18/2009 - herberto wrote: 81 Points
This wine really didn't have much good going for it. It was dark in color, and had good concentration, but concentration doesn't count for much if the underlying flavors are not good. This is bitter, astringent, and tastes fake - it is a dark red wine flavored beverage. Not my thing.
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7/4/2009 - Viini-Viren wrote: 92 Points
Smooth, full bodied, spicy velvet.
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6/12/2009 - Viini-Viren wrote: 92 Points
Silk and velvet. Full bodied great wine with steaks. Good alternative to any cabernet sauvignon.
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6/6/2009 - Jazzman wrote: 88 Points
Aromas: Vanilla, plums, leather, earthiness, wet leaves.
Flavors: Sour plums, vanilla, smoked meats, some big oak on the back end. Perhaps a little brett, but not unpleasant.
Overall: Finish is a bit short, but for the price, this is a very nice everyday drinker. Absolutely no complaints.
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5/26/2009 - jazzb wrote:
O - blåröd m transp kanter
D - Plommon, rotfrukter, rostade fat, gummi, nötte/nutella, slanggurka
S - plommon, ekfat, cassis, gummi, mintchoklad, äppelkärnor
7.5p
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4/25/2009 - pgore wrote: flawed
I am not sure about the drink window on this bottle - but it was rancid. Even my wife wouldn't drink it and she will drink just about anything.
Hopeful that my other bottle will be better.
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3/9/2009 - Armando B wrote: 91 Points
Exceeded expectations. Intense, but not syrup-ish, dark and red fruit (particulary black cherry). Leather note. International style. Nice nose. Suggst 1-2 hour decant (was showing little on Day 1, but really blossomed on Days 2 and 3). Would definitely by more for $18 I paid.
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3/8/2009 - stevewinebets wrote: 89 Points
Wonderful full malbec with powerful fruit, but smooth with good tannins
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2/7/2009 - Viini-Viren wrote: 91 Points
Full bodied. Smooth velvet and silky tannins. A more gentle alternative to cab sav to go with juicy steaks.
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1/31/2009 - bin905 wrote: 90 Points
Deep ruby red color. Cherry, pepper, fig, smoke and forest floor scent. Full body, rich, sweet spice and boysenberry taste with smooth tannins and a soft finish.
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1/28/2009 - Sijan wrote: 88 Points
Nose was a little vegetal and funky on first opening, but improved dramatically after 30-40 min or so of aeration. Nice fruity blackberry/plum nose and palate. A little too acidic (VA?), mostly noticeable on the late palate and finish. A little past its prime already?
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1/22/2009 - caboychuck wrote: 91 Points
Gorgeous nose, plum, black cherry and creamy. This was just delicous. Black cherry is surrounded by layers of flavor and complex nuances. Will get more.
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1/17/2009 - nogohawk wrote: 90 Points
Been a while since I had this - very good malbec; ncie dark color and good tannins.
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1/1/2009 - nogohawk wrote: 90 Points
VG malbec - mocha & spice
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12/27/2008 - PSPatrick wrote: 88 Points
It took the wine 45 minutes in the decanter to open up. The wine had a fruity nose, dominated by dark berries (particularly blackberry, maybe fig and blueberry), with a subtle plastic component. The palate was dominated by dark fruit, with blackberry, blueberry, maybe fig, liquorice and sweet, smooth tannins. The wine was very smooth and balanced. The finish, however, was rather short.
Our guests and we liked this fruity, balanced, easy-drinking wine. The finish was a little disappointing compared to the overall quality and the wine was lacking depth, but it was simply delicious and delivered great value. I will definitely by this wine again. (88-89)
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12/25/2008 - stevewinebets wrote: 90 Points
Great Malbec with dark color and rich fruit- nicely balanced with excellent structure- always a joy to drink
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12/21/2008 - BrandrB wrote: 88 Points
A quality Malbec. Surprisingly – to me – this proved to be the wine of the night amongst many more well-regarded labels. Dark purple color. Overwhelming dark fruit nose. Layers of dark fruit – cherry and blackberry – on the palate amidst some vanilla and pepper flavors. Light finish, though. Beautifully oaked. Well balanced. Drinking very nicely now. Above-average QPR. Delicious.
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12/10/2008 - sleepyhaus wrote: 88 Points
It is, as they say, a very well-made wine for the money, but I think I am just not that into Malbec as a stand-alone varietal, however much I wanted to be. I keep revisiting the wines of this region but while I am happy with the quality I don't fall in love. I would like to try a blend that uses Malbec as a focus but rounds, deepens, and softens with the addition of merlot and or cabernet.
For this the fruit profile lacks purity, what exactly am I looking for or tasting? But the main problem I have is that while the entry is a bit sweet, that drops off into bitterness, and not the pleasant bitter chocolate kind either, but actual bitterness. The finish is too short and I kept wishing for some Merlot or Cab in there to soften the second act and lead into a third...
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12/1/2008 - pjaines wrote:
A full bodied but beautifully balanced wine that is drinking very well right now. Deep, dark nose with some dark cherries, meat and notes of vanilla in there. In the mouth smooth tannins and good complexity. Surprisingly easy to drink. This wine is just the right side of the full-bodied spectrum - it avoids being too cloying or big. Overall very good for the price (£10).
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11/30/2008 - iamandyc wrote: 88 Points
Nice everyday wine. Nothing special but tasty and decently balanced. Good QPR
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11/30/2008 - Jazzman wrote:
Consistent with previous bottles.
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11/18/2008 - richard.stevens wrote: 88 Points
Full bodied, structured. Excellent for the price.
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10/21/2008 - pkbackman wrote: 89 Points
Just a delicious wine. Lush berries.
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10/13/2008 - pjaines wrote: 84 Points
Lush, oppulent but well structured with a nice follow through. This has a softness to it that is underpinned by some lovely tannins and a light streak of acidity that lent this wine towards big, rustic food. It was probably a bit fuller than I was expecting, but for £10 I'd definately buy again. More of a bbq wine than one for drinking while contemplating the intricacies of existensialism. Overall good.
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10/11/2008 - brettlaurvick wrote: 89 Points
Keeps getting better and better. Love to see how this evolves over another year or two
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9/29/2008 - stevewinebets wrote: 90 Points
This is an excellent example of a Malbec- rich and dark in color with beautiful nose, firm structure and balance with lots of fruit- better than most napa wines and a quarter of the price!
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9/12/2008 - Viini-Viren wrote: 92 Points
Soft velvet. Great wine to juicy steaks.
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9/11/2008 - valecnik wrote: 89 Points
Dark berries and loamy earth on the nose. Smooth, medium-to-full body. Plum, black raspberry and a hint of chocolate on the palate. Nice balance of fruit and acidity, with fine tannins.
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8/26/2008 - Texas Pete wrote: 89 Points
I love this wine, the ones I have tasted were largely consistent. Others must also like this wine as the price seems to be going up. Still a real good value.
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8/24/2008 - albrigsr wrote: 88 Points
Balanced wine with vanill mocha flavors and light tannins. I initially picked up some grassy, celery components when first opened but now they have disappeared. Good wine but I don't think it's a great QPR.
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8/15/2008 - brettlaurvick wrote: 88 Points
Silky smooth and heavy in the mouth. Last time I had a bottle, was just after a 2006 Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy and there was such a difference between the two that I scored this an 84. Much better when it's on it's own. Pleasure to drink and our company enjoyed very much.
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7/27/2008 - tatumvay wrote: 90 Points
Amazing price point for this quality! Delicious, meaty, fruit-forward nose. Notes of italian sausage, pepper, plum, and a bit of oak... This is a definitely a go-to wine for any occasion!
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7/25/2008 - keelegl wrote: 90 Points
Consistent with previous notes
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7/15/2008 - whynblog wrote: 86 Points
Dark purple color. The nose gives off flowers and some damp earth. The is a very fruit forward wine. Jammy plumb dominates the flavor profile. The finish gives out very early. Less complex for a wine in this price range should be. There are better options in the same range.
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7/7/2008 - silton wrote:
88-89 pts / versatile crowd pleaser / good QPR / will buy again
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7/1/2008 - 10izguy wrote:
A great bottle of wine
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7/1/2008 - Jazzman wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured a taste before decanting.
Color: Almost opaque purple with a lighter rim.
Aroma: At first yeast and dusty floral notes, a wave of smoked meat, plums, cocoa, and some day old campfire.
Taste: In separate tastes I alternately get some nice cherries, strawberry (twizzler), sweet red plums up front. The fruit flavors seem to carry through to the middle where it is joined by some milk chocolate and llght smokiness.
This is nice, easy drinking stuff for sure. No need to decant this thing. Just pop, pour, swish, and it's good to go. I love wines like this; great value, great drinkers, and great with food. No guilt and plenty of pleasure. The world needs more wines like this. It's a bit simplistic, but who cares? The aromas peel off in layers and the wine evolves in mouth over time, so you can enjoy that too.
What's not to like?
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6/22/2008 - Viini-Viren wrote: 92 Points
Today was the first time I consumed this without food. A sunny afternoon in they yard and we chose to drink a bottle of Catena Malbec. Together with a juicy beef this is a stellar wine, but quite frankly - this favorite of mine did not perform as well without food. Perhaps a little too heavy and full bodied to enjoy on its own. Also, maybe the contrast to the light Chinon Cab Franc (Chinon La Baronnie Madeleine) we had earlier was too much.
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6/20/2008 - Viini-Viren wrote: 92 Points
Smooth velvet.
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6/12/2008 - cabdrinker wrote: 88 Points
Big, bold color and fruit right off the bat. Smacks you in the face with structure of an Aussie Shiraz but mellows out much quicker and becomes a very nice wine within 30 minutes. Plum is present and noticeable with subtle cocoa, oak and vanilla. Pleasant mouth feel with an even better finish. Going to revisit next year and see if it improves.
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6/10/2008 - Goldilocks412 wrote: 88 Points
Ink in color. Blackberry fruit, spice, and a bit of funk (gym socks?) on the restrained nose but the flavor delivers abundant, lush, bright black fruit with a nice long finish. Very good QPR.
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5/30/2008 - Viini-Viren wrote: 92 Points
smooth velvet. great wine.
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5/24/2008 - stevewinebets wrote: 90 Points
Excellent Malbec with dark color with fruit to match- very well balanced and already fully integrated- love the nose and the long finish- I can't believe how good this is for the price!
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5/24/2008 - cbuhlman wrote: 90 Points
This is a very well-made wine for the money. Lots of dark fruits, smooth and silky and framed by judicious use of wood, giving a spicy mocha finish.
delicious.
IMO, one of the best wines available anywhere, for around $15.
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5/23/2008 - Viini-Viren wrote: 91 Points
Smooth silk, creamy tannins. Enjoyable alternative to the harsher cab sav. Good companion to grilled meat.
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5/17/2008 - soyhead wrote: 88 Points
very fruitforward but a bit candified
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5/12/2008 - karsten wrote: 86 Points
Nose: wet dog, rotten grapes, berries, oak!!!
Taste: smooth, long lasting, oakey, fruit bomb, fascinating and weird initial hit. some vegetal/asparagus on the initial taste, silky and empty on mid-palate, ends with a small kick, leaves mouth coated.
Summary: I wouldn't buy this again. It didn't make me smile when I tasted it. Was a bit empty and a bit of a turnoff.
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5/11/2008 - agebob wrote: 87 Points
Smooth, subtle and well structured. Inky in color with very mild tannins, this wine begins and ends with the fruit. Plum and dark cherry flavors. The finish is very short. All in all a pleasant wine to drink with or without food.
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5/10/2008 - mpricher wrote: 87 Points
Did not enjoy as much as the 2004. Color was purple.bouquet was wet fields and grass. Vegatable over tones, with cherry. Velvet mouthfeel that saved the bottle for me, but I never bonded with this wine.
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5/10/2008 - kingofwine wrote: 90 Points
Once again Catena Zapata delivers a top quality wine for a low QPR. Nobody does Malbec like Argentina, and CZ is the best. The 2004 fell a little short of the benchmark but with the 2005 the're back on stride.I won't go into a lengthy tasty note except to say this wine is ready to drink now and should be enjoyed over the next 3-5 years. For an entry level wine, CZ doesn't disappoint and sets the bar high for quality at this QPR. I purchased a case upon release, and after several bottles I'll be going back for more. This wine is a real crowd pleaser, so stock up while you can.
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5/10/2008 - nubbin wrote: 89 Points
Always beautiful. Full bodied without crossing into jammy. A real pleasure. ( D 7, F 5.5; Pine; MSW)
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5/8/2008 - Nutty08 wrote: 88 Points
Nose of blackberry, sweet oak, mocha, and maybe a little toast. Palate is smooth and soft, subtle tannins but well structured, with the fruit up front and some earth in the background. Mid palate a bit hollow, and finish is rather short and less complex than the nose and palate-- a bit disappointing. However, this is a well balanced and well structured wine for the price, and I'm really at a loss for how it will age. Easy drinking and enjoyable.
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4/24/2008 - LelouchViBritannia wrote: 90 Points
Decanted 30 minutes to 1 hr. Already Drinkable.
Aroma: black berries on the nose. On the Glass: it has a deep purple rim, suggesting a good aging ability, which is also true because Catena stuff aren't filtered.
Taste: on the mouth I feel silky chocolate with some young tannic notes that followed. The stains on the glass is deep violet too. Argentinean stuff sure can age ! In my cellar awaits the Catena Alta Malbec, let's see how that turns out in a few years.
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4/23/2008 - MightyMike wrote: 87 Points
Fruity flavor, plum and quite much fruit on the palate, somewhat sharp and medium long finish. Good wine for the money.
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4/22/2008 - LPskeleton wrote: 91 Points
A judicious use of oak on the nose, with PLUMP blackberry, black currant, vanilla, even chocolate aromatics on the nose. This is dark deep sexy and brooding.
Extremely soft, scrumptious chewy wine that is concentrated with flavors of chocolate, sweet raspberry and cherry flavors. This wine has depth and structure that is coated in pure SEX.
Long, pure and extracted.
91pts
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4/18/2008 - Viini-Viren wrote: 91 Points
Smooooooth! Full bodied great steak companion alternative to cab sav.
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4/15/2008 - keelegl wrote: 90 Points
Really nice surprise. Rich dark fruit on the nose and palate, muscular but balanced. Great with a steak on the grill. Solid QPR.
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4/1/2008 - cbuhlman wrote: 89 Points
well made Mendoza malbec, tasted one day after the Luca. Not as much stuffing but a more elegant wine overall.
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3/28/2008 - Viini-Viren wrote: 88 Points
Not as good as earlier bottles. Velvet dominates! Soft round tannins complete the enjoyable fruity experience. Anyway, a good softer steak companion than a Cabernet Sauvignon.
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3/12/2008 - thewineoceros wrote:
Strawberry, raspberry on the nose, even hints of vanilla. nicely balanced and very enjoyable
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3/5/2008 - Tarrant wrote: 90 Points
Very nice, excellent QPR - Dark purple, concentrated with strong notes of plum, cherry and oak on the nose, decent tannic structure, yet smooth on the palate with good length, nice job (90 Points).
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3/2/2008 - mreinitz wrote: 88 Points
Nice.
Big, round, and a little sweet, with sweet cherry dominating the palate. A bit of funk upon opening that mostly blew off with time.
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2/24/2008 - pickhardt wrote: 87 Points
Nice fruit, but not noticeably better than malbecs that are $5 cheaper.
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2/22/2008 - GB1963 wrote: 87 Points
Well integrated fruit, little tannin, little acidity. A bit on the simplistic side.
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2/21/2008 - PatrickinKW wrote: 90 Points
Deep inky purple. Well intergrated fruit and tannins. Great QPR and recommended.
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2/18/2008 - krlee1029 wrote: 88 Points
very nice. Typical malbec. Good fruit. Decanted for two hours
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2/16/2008 - nectar14 wrote: 89 Points
Pink-red in color with a nose of raspberry, bubble gum, and briar. Nice softness with medium to full body. Sappy medium length finish with ripe fruit.
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2/15/2008 - kevin h wrote:
Pretty good - not just big and burly but plenty of berry fruit as well as being big and burly. Malbec is not my favourite grape - I find them a bit matt, beefy and lacking subtlety but I'd buy this one again. Probably better on a summer's day with a steak cooked on the bbq than in the depths of winter with a pheasant and mushroom risotto.
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2/13/2008 - kas wrote: 89 Points
big and smooth. always a reliable malbec at this price point.
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2/10/2008 - tairanosaurus wrote: 89 Points
similar notes to first tasting.
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2/9/2008 - brettlaurvick wrote: 84 Points
Just ok. Probably won't touch another bottle for a few years. We had this after a Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy and what a change of direction that was. Will have to re-evaluate after a solo tasting.
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2/6/2008 - ColinR wrote: 90 Points
Crimson-purple; blackberries, tar, cedar; restrained berry, medium body, good acidity, firm ripe tannins, decent finish.
Decanted 2 hrs. More Bordeaux-like and less rustic than most Argentine Malbecs. Consistently excellent.
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2/6/2008 - hutch wrote: 88 Points
Catena Tasting: Bright, fruit filled nose. Some mint hits on the nose and following through on the palate. Full concentration, clean, and very well made. There is some judicous use of oak which I found well integrated but I could see bothering some. 88-89
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2/3/2008 - Clarkmeister wrote: 89 Points
The first Malbec I can recall drinking. Interesting. Fruity, but not overwhelmingly so. Blackberries, Blueberries, dark fruit. Good balance. Interesting finish. Need to try some of the other different Malbec's I have laying around to compare. Nice wine, especially for the price.
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1/26/2008 - LesterKwong wrote: 85 Points
Tasted blind. Dark, ink like. Green bell pepper on the nose, with a tart hit on the mid palate and some noticeable oak treatment.
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1/21/2008 - davetong wrote: 89 Points
Big mouthful of blackberries, soft tannins, not much acidity. Great value, but not one for the cellar.
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1/2/2008 - Coupe 60 wrote: 88 Points
Popped and poured. Nice Malbec with a little complexity to it. Berries on the nose, give way to smoke and leather on the palate, with some red fruit thrown in. well balanced and medium bodied. nice tasting wine
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12/26/2007 - tairanosaurus wrote: 87 Points
Grape paste and smoking room on the nose. smooth cherry and berry in the mouth.
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12/23/2007 - dv002i wrote: 87 Points
Violets and blueberries give way to fennel and celery on the nose. Prunes and dried cherries dominate on the palate. A nice finish with well balanced h too much heat. Overall a fantastic Argentinean malbec, and a very nice wine at the price point. 87-88 pts.
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12/23/2007 - jjclips2 wrote: 90 Points
This is one solid producer, and yet another wine to support that is the '05 Malbec. A bit of brett on the nose, which soon blows off. Rich and jammy blackberry and blueberry fruit on the nose with a whaff of insense and spices. The palate is firm with gripping tannins at first, and then subside to medium bodied, fruit filled, juicy berries 'n cream.
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12/8/2007 - soyhead wrote: 91 Points
I am humming through my case. I now decant this wine for a good several hours, at least. Today, is it my mood, or am i more insightful(?), but i am liking this more than i recall in the past. The nose is muted, possibly hints of green olive. In the mouth I get a very refreshing burst of sour cherry, with some subtle vegetal flavors on the midpalate, and then a subtle herby flavor to the end (which i think is rosemary-like). There are some tannins to provide structure, but nothing rough or harsh. In spite of some of the more subtle 'green flavors' there is no escaping the underlying fresh cherry attack. Very nice, and at 15$ a no-brainer.
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12/3/2007 - krlee1029 wrote: 88 Points
Black Berry and smoke. A bit to much alcohol and acid. Overall a nice Argentina malbec. Very dark purple color. I think the wine maker may have left something on the table with his wine. I think the wine maker could have done more with it. It certainly grew on me. I decanted for about one hour before consuming. Good for the price point.
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11/21/2007 - PDD wrote: 88 Points
Same as before except I would add some chocolate to the flavor profile.
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11/21/2007 - PDD wrote: 89 Points
Very good - juicy and sweet, like candy in a glass. But not artificially sweet. Well made with lots of fruit.
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11/18/2007 - hakon wrote: 86 Points
Lots of fruit, mild tannins but less complexity than expected. However, it is a very drinkable wine
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11/17/2007 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 87 Points
dark purple color with lively bright rims. lots of freshly picked blackberries on the nose with hints of flowers. full bodied with ripe tannins and lots of juicy boysenberry flavors with hints of spice, toast and chocolate. not amazing, but a very fun wine for $20. 12 months in mostly french oak, 20% new. 13.5% alcohol.
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11/10/2007 - MattyMatt wrote: 88 Points
Almost black in color. Dark fruits and some spice on the nose. More dark fruits and dry flavor. Tannins arent over powering. Enjoyable and a good QPR.
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11/7/2007 - ASW wrote: 87 Points
Big wine. Not super fruity. Plums, austere, full bodied. Smooth wine, nice balance, a bit spicy. Strong character. Buy again.
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11/4/2007 - rsazima wrote: 89 Points
VERY GOOD.
VISUAL: M+ intensity, ruby/purple, numerous M legs.
NOSE: Black fruit (cherry), vanilla, toasted oak, light raisin, M intensity, complexity and persistence.
PALATE: M+ body, M- intensity, M acidity, alcohol and tannins (young).
FINISH: Nice balance and finish (15s).
OVERALL: 89 points.
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11/4/2007 - daniellobo wrote: 88 Points
Decent bottle of wine. Nothing to die for, but it won't let you down.
Good and full of fruit, balanced wood and toasted notes. Soft tannins. I doubt if it will last long though. Ready now.
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11/2/2007 - tairanosaurus wrote: 89 Points
Grapey nose. Opens up after 30 minutes to a smooth, medium bodied. Round plum with mild vanilla tanins.
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10/19/2007 - SMG wrote: 89 Points
A little young now; I think it will improve slightly by smoothing out and putting on a little more weight. A nice daily wine to drink that is a good value at $22. Nice red fruits with a little structure. The tannins need a little time to settle.
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10/12/2007 - bacchus wrote: 87 Points
this producer has a long and romantic history, bringing italian winemaking traditions to mendoza. we recently sampled the 2004 at a wine festival. the 2005 is not quite as opulent, and, in my opinion, does not quite earn the 90 points assigned by specatator. it is a pleasant drinking bottle but not very substantial. still carries sufficient interest such that i hope to enjoy some of his more select bottlings.
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10/12/2007 - luisdelafuente wrote: 87 Points
Tasted at Astrid & Gaston, Lima. Dark color, with slightly purple border. Medium bodied, medium tannins. Well balanced. Blackberry. Pretty straight forward. A pleasant wine, very drinkable, but not amazing. It hasn't got the usual character of other argentinian malbecs.
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9/26/2007 - dougsmith wrote: 87 Points
Deep ruby, black center. Black fruit and smoke on the nose. Youthful tannins on the palate, but a bit one-dimensional and a relatively short finish. Good everyday Malbec.
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9/23/2007 - JOsgood wrote: 89 Points
Paired with poterhouse leftovers from Peter Luger's in NYC. Vibrant fruit taste that is balanced and refined. Excellent QPR at $15 a bottle.
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9/15/2007 - silton wrote: 87 Points
(from a week ago) -- classic Malbec flavors, no flaws, drink or hold, nice value
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9/14/2007 - Black Phil wrote: 81 Points
A really accessible Malbec. Soft tannins and would be a great red for just sippin'
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7/17/2007 - cbraun wrote: 90 Points
Best value Argentina Malbec I've had.
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5/19/2007 - Wrighty wrote: 88 Points
Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter (Landmark Hotel, London, England): Nice berry nose. Palate a little simple.
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4/28/2007 - wineswiller wrote:
dark ruby (almost purple) color; dark berries on the nose; full bodied, smooth and silky on the palate with dark berries/plums and a hint of spice.
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4/8/2007 - kanwingshing wrote: 85 Points
Currant and smoke on nose. Light-medium bodied. Short finish. Acidity a bit on the high side.
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3/5/2007 - kanwingshing wrote: 88 Points
creamy, fully bodied, dark berry with hint of smoke on nose, very rounded on pallet, silky tannin but a bit short on finish
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