Cab people! 95-pointer Catena in the house, for how much??!

Nicolás, the flagship Catena that shares its vineyards with this Cabernet has held its own in blind tastings against other giants such as Latour, Haut-Brion, Solaia, Caymus, and Opus One by coming in 1st or 2nd place every time. That’s how solid the raw materials here are. Thanks to our exclusive BEST price guarantee today only, good luck finding such an affordable Cab of this caliber anywhere!

Why? Beyond the painstakingly precise winemaking, the answer lies in extreme viticulture. La Piramide, Domingo, and Nicasia vineyards all sit high, HIGH in the Andes range soaring over 1,000 meters (~3,500 feet!) – THE most prominent high-altitude plantings of Cabernet in the world.

Author of The Oxford Companion to Wine, Jancis Robinson explains: “I had the chance to visit the world’s greatest concentration of high-altitude vineyards, in Argentina… Much is made of the beneficial effect of the cool nights this far up the Andean foothills, and of the higher radiation that can make photosynthesis more efficient and plants healthier. Precise altitudes even form part of the names of the (extremely good) wines made by LVMH/Chandon… Other international investors in the new, high wine country of Mendoza include Allied Domecq; Concha y Toro of Chile; Kendall Jackson of California; Jacques and François Lurton, Pernod Ricard and Michel Rolland of France… They can’t all be wrong.”*

In another article Jancis adds that Catena is “justly credited with putting Argentinean wines on the world map - by the best expedient of focusing entirely on quality. It’s great to know he has started a wine dynasty, too.” and Decanter affirms “It was Nicolás Catena who thrust Argentinian wine into the modern era. A widely traveled academic economist, he learned from his exposure in the 1970s both to great Bordeaux and the huge promise of Napa wines. In the early 1980s, Catena agreed the key was to plant the right varieties in the right location…”

Vivid ruby, showing far deeper pigmentation and vibrance than your average Cab. The nose is all about crème de cassis enhancing the wild blackberry fruit, with redder cherry and graphite notes too. Sublime structure is the palate wake-up call, ultra-fine solid tannins, with extensive berry and savory undertones. Wraps it all up clean and precise on an impressive finish, far beyond its league in complexity, depth, and length. Lay this down for a couple of years for the ultimate classical food-companion Cab experience.

Argentina may be “Malbec country” but its top Cab (awarded so by Descorchados) gives the competition around the globe, including Napa and Bordeaux, a run for the money. See for yourselves…

95 Points – Descorchados

“This Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the winery’s flagships. With its first versions made in the late 1990s, and always based on the Catena vineyards planted in Agrelo in 1982, this Alta has always shown a clear, fruity vision of the variety. While the traditional Cabernet from the other side of the Andes, in Chile, is full of earthy and minty tones, Agrelo’s is all about the fruit, the crystalline expression of the variety that translates into aromas and flavors of red fruits and herbs. The body has grip and firm tannins, but rather than sticking to the palate, here they seem to have the role of a prince consort, serving as support to allow this rich fruity expression to show itself in all its fullness. Leave this wine in the cellar for at least three years.”

93 Points – James Suckling

“A firm, integrated cabernet with attractive plum and chocolate aromas and flavors. Medium body, round tannins and a delicious, flavorful finish. Drink now.”

92 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“There is a faint roasted note in the nose of the 2018 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc, with more Cabernet Franc in this warmer year (compared with 2019). It has a very classical nose, combining the herbal character of the grape with good ripeness of the year, resulting in a very complete wine, nicely textured and with the serious tannins from the variety. Drink 2021-2025.”