93pts Vinous

The 2023 Cabernet Franc Appellation San Carlos, aged for up to 13 months in barrel, opens with soft ash notes, a touch of bell pepper and oak in the background. Intense with a chalky texture and a taut profile, the 2023 finishes with lovely fruit. This well-structured red showcases a calibrated balance between fruit and the vintage's characteristic ripeness.

91pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Sourced from plantings spanning 1997-2005, the 2023 Appellation San Carlos Cabernet Franc leads with aromas of dark chocolate, cocoa powder, tobacco and black fruits. The palate is plush and lusciously textured, concluding with a vibrant, herbal finish that retains a touch of the sweet concentration displayed on the palate.

Winemaker Notes

The Catena Cabernet Franc Appellation El Cepillo presents a purple color with red ruby tones. The nose offers elegant aromas of spices, and fresh herbs as thyme and rosemary, red berries, cassis and raspberries, with layers of cedar. The mouthfeel is full and rich with cassis, raspberries flavors and notes of black pepper and oregano. The finish is bright and fresh with finely grained tannins.
This versatile wine is fantastic paired with rich meat dishes such as stews and braises, Latin dishes with heat and a little kick such as enchiladas or moles and lamb dishes and tomato based pasta and sauces. Additionally this wine is delicious paired with dark chocolate and berries and also served alongside a cheese plate.

About the Winery

Bodega Catena Zapata is one of Argentina's high altitude Malbec pioneers. The Catena family began making wine in Mendoza in 1902. Nicolas Catena, third generation family vintner, was one of the first to see the potential of Mendoza's mountain vineyards for producing high quality Malbec. In 1994, he became the first Argentine to exprot a world-class bottling of Malbec under the Catena label. Nicolas is joined by his daughter, Dr. Laura Catena, in their relentless pursuit of world-class quality from the family's high altitude vineyards. Laura has done extensive work in introducing Malbec and other varietal plant selections, soil and climate analysis, and sustainable practices throughout Mendoza. Head winemaker, Alejandro Vigil, has been at Catena Zapata since 2002 and works with Laura and Nicolas to make wines that express the family's vineyards and palate.