2014 Catena Malbec La Consulta Appellation Mendoza

Elegant fragrances of boysenberries, cherries, herbs, mint and pepper. Remarkable quality and balance here, with high structure on the palate, fine oak integration, juicy yet firm tannins, vibrant spicy fruits and an amazing freshness and minerality. A superb Malbec.

Made from 60-year-old vines situated in the cooler, lower part of La Consulta, this shows the red and black fruit sweetness that's a hallmark of the Catena reds, supported by fineboned tannins, deftly handled French oak and plenty of texture. The alcohol is appealingly restrained, too. 2016-20.

Salt, mineralsk frugtnæse med personlighed og fin detaljerigdom og et charmende og kultiveret krydderi. Udtalt mineralitet og pæn kølighed. Mere spansk stil end oversøisk. Tæt mundfrugt, venlig tannin og afbalanceret krydderi. Charmerende, umiddelbar, venlig og letdrikkelig. Vellykket pop med dejlig længde og fin saftighed.

(from a lower part of Uco Valley, featuring cooler nights than Lunlunta as well as more clay in the soil): Bright red-ruby. Initially reduced nose cleared to reveal cassis and cocoa powder aromas lifted by a floral high note. Very ripe and nicely sweet, but with well-integrated acidity and soil salinity giving the wine a light touch. Winemaker Vigil told me he did more carbonic fermentation for Malbec in 2014 as he wanted less extraction, but this is still in a firmly tannic style--not to mention backward for a wine made this way. I'd give it 18 months in the cellar.