Catena Zapata Argentino Malbec 2005 1.5L

Product Info

97+pts Wine Advocate
The 2005 Malbec Argentino is a blend of the Nicasia and Adrianna Vineyards. As is often the case, the blend is better (although not by much) than either of the individual components. It offers greater complexity both aromatically and on the palate, opulence, great fruit expression, and superb aging potential. Drink this beautifully rendered wine from 2015 to 2035. The Catena Zapata portfolio is stunning from entry-level to top-of-the-line. As an aside, during my visit to Catena-Zapata in April, 2008, I tasted many barrel samples of 2006s and 2007s. The components, particularly of the 2006s are astounding; the best is yet to come.  Drink Date: 2015 – 2035 Published: Dec 21, 2008 Reviewed by: Jay S Miller

94pts Vinous Media
(made from the best 12 barrels from a high-altitude planting of very old vines) Saturated medium ruby. Knockout nose offers cassis, mocha and clove, along with a strong suggestion of soil tones. Projects an uncanny combination of density and sweetness on the one hand and penetration on the other, with gripping, lightly saline flavors of dark berries, tobacco, spices and minerals. A wonderfully tactile wine with substantial broad tannins and a palate-staining finish dominated by sweet black and blue fruits. - By Stephen Tanzer on January 2009

Producer Notes: TEN CENTURIES OF LIFE, DEATH AND REBIRTH The epic tale of the noble Malbec grape is like no other, and the label for Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino pays tribute to the variety’s history in France and its rise in Argentina. Four female figures embody different landmarks in the history of the grape. Eleanor of Aquitaine represents the birth of Malbec. She is a strong, Old World presence, lingering at the bridge in Cahors, where Malbec came into its own. Next, the Immigrant symbolizes the movement to the New World and the unknown explorers and adventurers who connected Europe with the Americas. Phylloxera personifies the death of Malbec in the Old World, which enabled its rebirth in the new. Finally, there is Bodega Catena Zapata, represented by Adrianna Catena, who depicts birth, earth, and motherhood, sharing the riches of the New World. Today, the Catena family’s fourth generation leads the high-altitude renaissance in Argentina. We are returning Malbec to the sky... where it belongs

Terroir
Argentino Malbec is Catena Zapata’s most emblematic expression of the grape, sourced from high-altitude vineyards in Mendoza, primarily in the Adrianna and Nicasia vineyard zones. These sites sit between roughly 3,000 and 5,000 feet above sea level, where intense sunlight is tempered by cool nights, producing grapes of remarkable concentration, aromatic precision, and natural acidity.

The soils are predominantly calcareous alluvial deposits with limestone, gravel, and sandy components, contributing both power and mineral definition. These extreme vineyard conditions yield small berries with thick skins, providing the raw material for long-lived wines of depth and structure. The 2005 vintage benefited from favorable ripening conditions, delivering fruit of balance and phenolic maturity that has allowed the wine to age gracefully for two decades.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
Catena Zapata approached the 2005 Argentino Malbec with a vision of longevity and elegance rather than sheer force. The wine is made from 100% Malbec, hand-harvested and vinified with careful attention to extraction to preserve texture and aromatic complexity.

Fermentation was followed by extended aging in French oak barrels, with a significant proportion of new oak selected to support the wine’s density and aging potential. Elevage was managed to integrate oak seamlessly into the fruit rather than dominate it, resulting in a wine built for long-term evolution. Time in bottle has since softened tannins and harmonized the wine’s structural elements, revealing a more nuanced and layered expression.

Tasting Notes
At maturity, the 2005 Argentino Malbec presents a deeply expressive and evolved aromatic profile. Blackberry compote, dried plum, and cassis form the core, layered with notes of tobacco leaf, cocoa powder, leather, and sweet spice. Subtle hints of graphite, earth, and dried violets reflect both vineyard origin and bottle age.

On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet remarkably composed. Flavors of dark fruit, fig, and black cherry are framed by polished, resolved tannins and balanced acidity that keeps the wine lifted and energetic. The texture is velvety and expansive, with savory notes of cedar, espresso, and spice emerging through the mid-palate.

The finish is long, complex, and resonant, lingering with dark fruit, dried herbs, and mineral undertones. The wine shows clear signs of tertiary development while retaining impressive freshness, demonstrating the aging potential of high-altitude Argentine Malbec at its finest.

Food Pairing & Service
Catena Zapata Argentino Malbec 2005 pairs beautifully with slow-braised beef, lamb shanks, and grilled game, as well as dishes featuring mushrooms, truffle, or rich reductions. Its savory maturity also complements aged hard cheeses and hearty, rustic cuisine.

Serve at 60–65°F (15–18°C) and decant gently for 30–60 minutes to allow the wine to fully open without losing its mature aromatics. The wine is drinking beautifully now but can continue to hold and evolve for several more years, offering continued nuance and complexity for collectors.