- Last updated on April 3, 2023
Welcome! This is our Catena Alta Malbec review.
Catena Alta Malbec is a premium red wine from Argentina’s Mendoza region.
The wine is made by Catena Zapata, one of the country’s most respected wineries.
Catena Alta Malbec is a single vineyard wine that showcases the unique terroir of the Mendoza region and the winemaking expertise of the Catena family.
Find below our Catena Alta Malbec full review along with our food pairings recommendations, serving tips, curiosity, and where you can buy it.
Let’s begin!
Our Catena Alta Malbec Review
- Brand: Bodega Catena Zapata
- Grape Varietal:Â Malbec
- Region: Argentina, Mendoza
- Tasting Notes: Black Cherry & Blackberry fruit notes
- Glass & Serving: Burgundy / 59-64 °F (15-18 °C) / Decant 30 mins
- Store: Up to 5 Years
- Price Range: ~$50
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
Catena Alta Malbec review: What's its color?
Catena Alta Malbec has a deep, dark red color with purple hues.Â
When swirled, the wine leaves long and slow legs on the glass, indicating its full-bodied nature.
If you want to know more about how to taste wine and the lingo that goes with it, check out this article: How To Taste Wine Like a Pro in 4 Steps.
Catena Alta Malbec taste like?
Catena Alta Malbec is entirely made from Malbec grapes and aged 18 months in French oak.
Is Catena Alta Malbec sweet?
No, it’s not sweet. Catena Alta Malbec wine is a dry wine.
Dry wine contains less than 15 g/L.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
Catena Alta Malbec review: Which food pairs well with it?
Catena Alta Malbec pairs well with a range of dishes, including grilled meats, roasted lamb, and hearty stews.
The wine also pairs well with aged cheeses, such as cheddar or gouda, and dark chocolate.
Catena Alta Malbec review: What's its alcohol content?
Catena Alta Malbec wine’s alcohol content is 13.8%.
In case you wonder about alcohol content or more precisely Alcohol By Volume, i.e. ABV, measure the alcoholic strength of a drink.
There is a direct relationship between the sugar left in the wine after the alcoholic fermentation has taken place, i.e. Residual Sugar or RS, and ABV.
During alcoholic fermentation, the yeast transforms the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol.
Grapes with high residual sugar will therefore produce dry wine with a high ABV.
How many calories are in a glass of Catena Alta Malbec wine?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture [1] a 5-ounce glass will contain about 120 to 130 calories.
Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. So a wine with high ABV will have a higher calories per glass than a wine with low ABV.
Furthermore, sugar contributes to the calorie count.
A dry wine will usually have 4 calories per grams vs a sweet wine that will have around 20 calories per grams of carbs, which include sugar.
What is Bodega Catena Zapata?
Here is an extract from the Bodega Catena Zapata website:
“Nicolás Catena Zapata is justly credited with putting Argentinean wines on the world map—by the best expedient of focusing entirely on quality.
It’s great to know he has started a wine dynasty, too.“
Conclusion
Catena Alta Malbec is an outstanding wine that truly showcases the winemaking expertise of the Catena family and the unique terroir of the Mendoza region.
The wine’s full-bodied nature, rich flavors, and smooth texture make it an excellent match for a wide range of hearty dishes, while its complexity and lingering finish make it a wine to be savored on its own.
Catena Alta Malbec is a must-try for any red wine enthusiast and is a testament to the quality of Argentinian winemaking.
Once you had it, we’d love to know your opinion, so reach out and let’s know what you think! Enjoy!
