Bodegas Catena 2015 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) Argentina
Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $48.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 16th, 2018
Tasting Notes: A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc sourced from 3 of the winery's high elevation vineyards in different sub-regions of Mendoza: each lot selected for what it can bring out in the finished wine. In terms of relatability, think the concentration of California (sans the over-extraction) meets the finesse of the Haut-Médoc. Nice balance between familiar cassis and black fruit characters and layers of savoury notes on the nose and palate; cocoa, herbs and smooth oak. Ready to go now with a long decant, though, best in another 1-2 years. Drink 2020-2025.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Bodegas Catena 2015 Catena Alta Chardonnay (Mendoza) Argentina
Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $38.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 16th, 2018
Tasting Notes: Produced from select lots from two of Catena's high altitude vineyards with a combination of gravelly and limestone soils. This is an enchanting and elegant Chardonnay with gentle oak influence throughout the gorgeous, easy-to-love nose of vanilla cream, apple, melon and stonefruit aromas and the mango, mineral and grapefruit flavoured, slightly off-dry palate.
Balance is spot-on with a delicate weight and texture and lively acidity. Finish is long and refined. Very Niagara Peninsula in its structure. Should improve over the next two to three years. Drink 2020-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Bodegas Catena 2014 Alamos Chardonnay (Mendoza) Argentina
Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $13.29 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 18th, 2016
Tasting Notes: This high-value Chardonnay is sourced from high altitude vineyards in Mendoza and offers a pleasant, uncomplicated combination of melon and orchard fruit with light mineral and oak influence notes on the understated nose and the citrus'n'oak-infused, watery palate. Finish is moderate with a touch of spice. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Catena Zapata 2014 Malbec (Mendoza) Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $21-23 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 9th, 2016
Tasting Notes: A fresh and lifted Malbec produced by the Catena Zapata family from their many high elevation vineyards in Mendoza. Floral and fruity with violet and black currant aromas above underlying notes of light spice, sweet earth and pencil shavings. Palate has a hint of residual sugar with prominent, wild blackberry flavour and acidity followed by savoury notes of oak, spice, minerals and light licorice. Nothing out of place. Ready to go in its youth. Drink now-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Bodegas Catena 2013 Alamos Chardonnay (Mendoza) Argentina
Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $13.29 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 13th, 2015
Tasting Notes: Offers fantastic value, keeping it simple with a focus on the balance of clean, crisp orchard fruit and rich, malolactic and barrel fermentation characters. Sourced from the high altitude vineyards of Mendoza, the wine does spend 6 months in a combination of American and French oak, imparting a myriad of spices on the finish and texture on the palate, balancing the bright, apple and peach flavours. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
