WIA takes a detour to the Southern Hemisphere!

Much as we love selling and drinking Old World gems, our “Import of the Year” WIA goes to Argentina and of course, to the undisputed leader of fine wine down there, Bodega Catena Zapata!

We’re GAGA over this apparently not long sold-out one, to our SHOCK they just allocated us a tiny bit more. Will it last the day at this absolute best price you will ever see it anywhere? Probably not, it’s best to cram your carts and lockers NOW, then join us in remembering what’s so special about this strikingly unique Malbec.

Oh, before we forget, take a peek at the Store here too for 3 incredibly rare Catena ‘Parcelas’ single-plot flagships, at never seen prices, we only have a few bottles of Mundus Bacillus, Fortuna, and River.

Back from plunder? First things first, what Wine Advocate said: “when all is said and done, Catena Zapata is the Argentina winery of reference - the standard of excellence for comparing all others.”

And this is one of their most prized wines. A singular expression of the very best that’s possible. Always attracts huge scores like 99 points huge for this vintage. Considering the quality here, OUR price at 40% OFF seems unimaginable. It crushes top Cabernet, pummeling many a First Growth into submission.

Laura Catena outdid herself here. The label is something else. Someone out there has it tattooed over their arm, no joke. We’ve never passed a bottle around to share and study with such wide-eyed scrutiny. It depicts four females who represent the variety’s history in France and the rise in Argentina over centuries. Eleanor of Aquitaine represents the birth of Malbec, the Immigrant symbolizes the journey to the New World, and ‘Phylloxera’ personifies death. Lastly, Adrianna Catena represents her family and the rebirth of truly noble Malbec in their high-altitude plantings.

But the wine?! THE WINE. Sourced from some mighty century-old vineyards at a staggering 3,500 feet elevation, it exudes Bordeaux-esque structure and polish. At its core you find abundant blueberry and plum encircled by fascinating and pronounced minerality. The complexity unravels further - crème de cassis, cocoa liquor, caramel, touches of herbs, spices, exotic wood, freshly tanned leather, and turned earth. It’s all there. A proper decanting is recommended, or even better, let this lay down for a few years. It has a VERY long road ahead.

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous calls Argentino “a knockout” because “this bottling represents the best 12 barrels from a high-altitude planting of vines more than 70 years old.”

Hope you made your moves, no fun getting bombarded with “got more?” emails when folks miss out.

99 Points - James Suckling

“This is made from over 100-year-old vineyards and offers blackberries with blue fruit and dark chocolate. Shows bark and black truffle undertones, too. Tight and more focused than in past vintages. The quality of the tannins is more precise and fine. Blackberries and black truffles at the end. Drink or hold.”

96 Points - Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“It feels like there was a big change in the 2019 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino, a year with a vibrant palate and very clean and focused aromas and flavors. They fine-tuned the irrigation and viticulture, and that seems to have increased the precision of the wine. They also did a selection and left the grapes from the borders of the vineyard, which were affected by the paths and other stuff. It’s still a little more voluptuous than the wines from Gualtallary, as this mixes grapes from Angélica (Lunlunta) and Nicasia (Altamira). It’s nicely textured and tasty, medium-bodied, and with a vibrant finish. Drink 2021-2029”