94pts James Suckling

This opens with blue fruit that deepens into darker tones yet remains crunchy, with a hint of pepper. The palate is saline, luminous and chiseled, marked by a delicate veil of fruit and refined tension.

93pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The leader of the Catena Appellation series is the 2023 Appellation Paraje Altamira Malbec, which hails from vines planted in 1996 and leads with a harmonious and composed nose of bright fruits, floral tones and fresh herbs. The palate is svelte and poised, transitioning to a rich yet focused finish that gradually becomes more sturdy and upright with aeration.

93 Vinous

The 2023 Malbec Appellation Paraje Altamira, aged for up to 12 months in oak barrels, is deep purple with pristine aromas of violets, blueberries, blackberry and fresh plum. The palate is dry, plush and juicy, with chalky tannins lending a pleasant tautness to the mid-palate. The 2023 is a delicate, energetic and balanced tour de force from a warm vintage.

Winemaker Notes

Family vintners for over 100 years, the Catenas are recognized for their pioneering role in high-altitude viticulture and in leading Argentina’s Malbec revolution. In the 1950s, Don Domingo Catena began sourcing Malbec from the vineyards of Altamira in the Uco Valley. The combination of intense sunlight and cool nights yields an elegant, mineral, slightly spicy Malbec with a deep texture and flavors.