James Suckling – A medium-bodied red with firm tannins and a fresh and clean finish. Really intense and flavorful. Lovely balance and finesse. One of the best deals out there.
James Suckling – 98 Points - "Perfumed and seductive nose of purple plums, blueberries,
dried roses, violets, lemon zest, chocolate, truffles and cigar
box. It’s full-bodied, yet so elegant and weightless. Seamless,
finely knit tannins. Beautiful, lengthy finish." James Suckling
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – The excellent and floral 2019 Catena Malbec shows the
typicity of the grape, violets and red berries, and the
freshness of the year. It has the textbook aromas and a
soft and velvety mouthfeel, with very fine grainy tannins. Drink 2021-2024 (Luis Gutiérrez)
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – 97 Points - "The 2019 Malbec Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard comes
from a vineyard planted in Altamira in 1996 at 1,095
meters above sea level with an old massale selection. It has
contained ripeness and 13.7% alcohol from a cooler year in
a warmer place. It’s a classical Malbec, balanced and elegant
but also powerful with fine tannins. It finishes with violets
and spice. It’s a Malbec with spicy oak." Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate.
James Suckling – "So bright and aromatic with flowers and blackberries, as well as some black olives. Full-bodied with lots of tannins, yet they are so fine and integrated and spread across the palate. This is all whole-cluster fermentation and 18 months in large oak casks." (James Suckling)
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – 92 Points - "The creamy and mellow 2020 Catena Alta Chardonnay
comes from a warmer year, and the wine shows it. It still
has moderate alcohol (13.6%) and ripeness and keeps the
balance and poise, but the oak is a little more noticeable than
in the 2021 I tasted next to it." Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – 90 Points - "The 2021 Catena Chardonnay is vibrant and harmonious,
with great balance and freshness, varietal with elegant and
shy aromas of white flowers and a long, dry finish with purity
of flavors, unnoticeable oak and very good overall balance." Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate.
Decanter – One of the most exciting wines of the September Releases, and one that captures the progress and interest around terroir in the Argentinian wine scene right now. This is set at 1,500m elevation, on limestone dominant soils, and it immediately sets itself apart by its soaring aromatics that give nuance and depth, with seductively curling peony and raspberry leaf. Powerful and full of character, somehow translates the idea of minerality that is so argued over in wine - here you feel it in the slightly chalky tannins, the pulses of electricity, and dried herb and fennel studding to the fresh raspberry and red cherry fruits. So good. Ungrafted vines, Fernando Buscema winemaker." 100 points, Jane Anson
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – "The sleek and elegant 2019 Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae is now certified organic (since 2018) and comes from vines planted in 1992 at 1,390 meters above sea level in Gualtallary on alluvial limestone soils. Seventy-five percent of the volume fermented in concrete vats with 50% full clusters, and the remaining 25% fermented in oak foudres. But instead of fermenting the grapes, they only fermented the juice (like it's usually done for white wines), to give the wine more elegance and lightness. I was listening to a record from a new band, Generation Radio, with musicians from Journey and Chicago, and the music had a similar profile to the wine: sleek, elegant, polished, nicely crafted, clean and harmonious, easy to listen to (and drink) with a soft side to it. The wine has ripeness (14% alcohol) but also the high acidity from the high-altitude vineyards that makes it very lively, beautifully textured, balanced and elegant. Beautiful. 5,400 bottles were filled in November 2020." 98 points, Luis Gutiérrez - Wine Advocate
James Suckling – "This has a complex nose of baked blackberries, grilled plums, dried earth, moss, pine cones, sandalwood, charcoal and cloves. It’s medium-bodied with firm, tightly knit tannins. Wow. So much going on. Layered, seamless and silky. Incredible length. Keeps going. 42% cabernet sauvignon, 30% malbec and 28% cabernet franc. Try this from 2024." 98 points, James Suckling
Nestled between the Andes and the Atlantic Ocean, Argentina's diverse climates and topographies have fostered a winemaking culture that's both dynamic and historic. The country's wine regions span vast landscapes, from the sun-drenched foothills of Mendoza to the cooler, high-altitude vineyards of Salta. The result? A mosaic of wines that cater to every palate. Malbec might reign supreme, but Argentina also introduces wine lovers to a plethora of lesser-known varietals, each narrating its own story of the land and the people who cultivate it. Engage with the country's Spanish and indigenous roots, its innovative wine techniques, and its commitment to producing both robust and delicate wines that reflect the soul of its terroir. Argentina, in every glass, offers a rich tapestry of flavors, history, and passion.
Wines from Argentina are special because of a unique blend of geographical, climatic, and historical factors. Nestled along the Andes mountains, Argentina's wine regions boast altitudes that are among the highest in the world, leading to cool evenings that offset the warm days. This diurnal temperature variation ensures that the grapes mature slowly, concentrating the flavors while preserving natural acidity. The snowmelt from the Andes provides a pure source of irrigation, and the arid climate keeps pests at bay, allowing for organic and sustainable farming practices. Furthermore, Argentina's wine heritage, influenced by Spanish, Italian, and French immigrants, has led to a fusion of traditional European techniques with local innovations. All these factors culminate in wines that are fruit-forward, vibrant, and incredibly distinct.
Argentina is globally renowned for its Malbec, a grape variety that has become almost synonymous with the country. Originating from France, Malbec found its true expression in the Argentine terroir, producing wines with deep color, plush fruit flavors, and velvety tannins. Apart from Malbec, Torrontés is another popular indigenous variety, known for its aromatic and floral white wines. Argentina also excels in producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Bonarda, which are gaining international recognition for their quality and character.
For those venturing into the realm of Argentine wines, starting with the country's flagship wine, Malbec, is a must. Specifically, a Malbec from Mendoza, which encapsulates the essence of Argentine winemaking. Next, one should indulge in a Torrontés from Salta, a white wine bursting with floral aromas and crisp acidity. To get a sense of the diversity of Argentina's wine landscape, a Patagonian Pinot Noir and a Bonarda from San Juan are excellent choices. These wines offer a glimpse into the vast array of terroirs and the versatility of Argentine winemaking.
Determining the "best" wines from Argentina can be subjective, given the wide range of excellent choices. However, certain wines consistently receive accolades and admiration. Many of Argentina's best wines come from high-altitude regions like Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo in Mendoza. Premium Malbecs from these areas, often aged in oak, offer complexity, depth, and longevity. Argentina's luxury blends, which might combine Malbec with Cabernet Sauvignon or Petit Verdot, showcase the art of blending and the richness of the country's terroir. For those seeking the pinnacle of Argentine white wines, aged Torrontés or Chardonnay from cooler regions present opulence and elegance in every sip.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.