CATENA Malbec 'Appellation La Consulta' 2019 Bottle - SUS (losn)

Description

IN BRIEF
Catena Malbec "Appellation La Consulta" 2019 — cool, high altitude Malbec — deep ruby with garnet edges. Intense black cherry, brambly blackberry and wild blueberry with violet and dried lavender; savoury cocoa, graphite and smoked meat notes, and a saline, crushed stone minerality. Medium plus, sleek palate: fine tannins frame blackcurrant, plum, baking spice, white pepper and a dark chocolate bite; bright acidity drives a long, stony finish. Old vines on limestone terraces, judicious French oak. Drink 2026–2036 (peak 2028–2034). Critics: James Suckling 93 — "Very refined and polished." Vinous 92 — "Expressive... terse texture and gentle, voluminous palate." The Wine Advocate 92 — "Primary and fruit driven, with good freshness." Pair with grilled lamb, pepper crusted steak, roasted mushrooms and aged Manchego.

ABOUT THIS WINE
Catena Malbec "Appellation La Consulta" 2019 captures the cool high altitude expression of Malbec from La Consulta in the Uco Valley, showing a harmonious blend of concentration, mineral clarity and structural finesse. The wine pours a deep ruby with garnet edges, signalling both ripeness and an elegant mid palate lift. On the nose it opens with intense black cherry, brambly blackberry and a bright core of wild blueberry, while floral notes of violet petal and dried lavender lend an aromatic lift. Secondary aromas of cocoa nib, pressed graphite and a whisper of smoked meat provide savoury depth, and a saline, crushed stone minerality points to the shallow limestone and alluvial terraces of its vineyard origin.

The 2019 vintage in Mendoza was marked by a warm growing season tempered by cool nights, especially at altitude, which helped preserve acidity and aromatic intensity while allowing full phenolic ripeness. A relatively dry spring reduced vigour and yields, concentrating flavours in the fruit and contributing to the wine's focused structure and persistence. These seasonal conditions are evident here in the wine's ripe fruit profile that remains energetic and precise.

The palate is medium plus in weight, offering a sleek, polished texture and fine grained tannins that frame concentrated dark fruit, blackcurrant, plum and ripe blackberry, without overwhelming freshness. As the wine unfolds it reveals layers of baking spice, white pepper, clove and a discreet dark chocolate bitterness that sharpens definition and keeps the profile taut. Bright cool climate acidity provides energy and precision, pulling the flavours through to a long, stony finish. A persistent mineral thread, stony and slightly iron tinged, adds tension and length, giving the wine a sense of place and lift that balances its generous fruit.

Made from low yielding old vines planted on terraces of shallow limestone at altitude, and matured with careful use of French oak, the 2019 is approachable now with decanting but will reward patient cellaring and ageing. Drink 2026 to 2036, peaking 2028 to 2034. It pairs superbly with grilled lamb, peppercorn crusted steak, roasted mushrooms and aged Manchego.

JAMES SUCKLIGN 93 points
Aromas of flowers and blueberries follow through to a full-bodied yet tight palate with fine, creamy tannins. Very refined and polished. Drink now.

VINOUS 92 points
Drinking window: 2020 - 2027
A Malbec from La Consulta, a historic terroir in the south of the Uco Valley, that spent 12 months in 35% new French oak. Expressive, local flavors of ripe plum and cherry with violet notes. Also typical of the terroir are the terse texture and gentle, voluminous palate, where the acidity is well-integrated, marshaling the creamy, lengthy flow and clear, fruity aftertaste. An excellent example of the La Consulta profile.
Joaquín Hidalgo. Tasting date: August 2020

THE WINE ADVOCATE 92 points
Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez
The 2019 Appellation La Consulta Malbec feels primary and fruit-driven, quite faithful to the variety and vintage, with good freshness and moderate alcohol. It was juicy, with some of the chalky texture of the stony soils. 90,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2020.
Published: Mar 31, 2021

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ABOUT CATENA
Catena (Bodega Catena Zapata) is Argentina’s most celebrated family owned winery, credited with establishing high altitude viticulture in Mendoza and elevating Malbec to international prominence. Founded by Domingo Catena in 1902 and transformed in the late 20th century by Nicolás Catena Zapata, the estate combines family tradition with rigorous scientific enquiry and methodical winemaking.

The winery remains in the Catena family. Nicolás Catena Zapata propelled a modern renaissance by expanding high altitude plantings, commissioning research and promoting site specific viticulture. The next generation, notably Laura Catena, a physician, author and long time ambassador for Argentine wine, has broadened the estate’s international profile while supporting vineyard science and consumer education. Other family members contribute across management, research and commercial strategy, ensuring continuity of vision that balances heritage with innovation.

Catena’s vineyards are distributed across Mendoza’s premium districts, with a particular concentration at high elevations in the Uco Valley and the Mendoza foothills. Cool nights, intense sunlight, low disease pressure and well drained soils encourage slow ripening and concentrated flavour, producing fruit with bright natural acidity and clear varietal character. The estate is best known for expressive Malbecs alongside acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay cuvees. Flagship labels include the Nicolás Catena Zapata and Catena Alta series together with single vineyard wines from Adrianna Vineyard, a site valued for its limestone and calcareous soils and distinctive mineral profile.

Alejandro Vigil serves as the estate’s chief winemaker and technical director. His small batch approach, emphasis on terroir expression and sensitive oak integration have shaped Catena’s stylistic evolution. Winemaking combines traditional techniques with precise modern control, including meticulous sorting, temperature managed fermentations and thoughtful blending trials. Ongoing efforts in clonal selection, rootstock trials and sustainability practices reflect a long term commitment to quality. Through sustained research and consistent quality, Catena Zapata continues to influence perceptions of Argentine wine by producing wines that marry ripe fruit intensity with structure and a strong sense of place.