Synopsis, Our Opinion: Despite its drawbacks we thought it was an enjoyable drinking Malbec.
Producer/Winery: Bodega Catena Zapata; Mendoza, Argentina.
Grape Variety: Malbec.
Geographic Appellation, Region, Country: Mendoza, Argentina.
Vintage: 2018
Price: $16.49 (with a 25% mixed case discount)
Purchased From: Harris Teeter Grocery Store; Kernersville, North Carolina.
Paired With: Loaded baked potatoes, ham, broccoli and cheddar cheese.
Tasting:
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Note: Every now and again, when we find a good sale, we purchase wine we know nothing about from the grocery store. This is one of those sale-price “pig in a poke” grocery store wines. Generally we try to get non-domestic brands simply because we have been disappointed so frequently with sweet, poor quality wines…especially the reds. However, occasionally we get lucky and discover a real winner…a wine with excellent quality that’s sold at a very low price…e.g. La Vieille Ferme Recolte Blanc 2019.
Opened one hour before drinking. Just clear, inky dark garnet color with a slightly lighter rim. Very oaky plum, blackberry jam, vanilla and dark chocolate aromas. Smooth entry, dusty, almost viscous, and a tad fruity sweet mouthfeel, medium to full body and a 200-grit texture. Powerful ripe plum, blackberry, cherry and dark chocolate flavors. Weak acidity, soft almost non existent tannins and a medium length fruit finish. A fruit forward Malbec that’s simple and a bit one dimensional, but we’ve had a lot of Malbecs that cost more and were not as good. With our simple week night supper this was a good pairing and even sipping without food the soft texture and robust fruitiness came off pretty well. Despite its drawbacks we thought it was an enjoyable drinking Malbec.
Photo from Catena Zapata.
See our reviews of other Bodega Catena Zapata wines.
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Closure: Aluminum covered 45mm reconstructed cork.
UPC Code: 0 98709 08858 0
Imported by: Winebow; New York, New York.