Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews
Learn More About Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon Through its Reviews.
2020 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon
95 Pointz Vinous
“The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Catena Alta contains an 8% dash of Cabernet Franc from Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. The wine was aged for up to 18 months in new and used barrels. It’s garnet red in the glass. The complex nose showcases dried flowers, blackcurrant, hints of jam, and gentle red pepper notes against a cedar backdrop. Lean in feel with expansive, grippy tannins, the flow is well-channeled with good volume. A lovely, continental Cabernet.”
93 Pointz James Suckling
“Red chili pepper and clove spices to the currants and savory tobacco leaf. A tight and juicy delivery on the palate with a full body and nicely clutched tannins. Lovely grip.”
92 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The 2020 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon contains 8% Cabernet Franc that seems to have given it an extra touch of freshness in this warm year. It's varietal, peppery, and herbal but with ripeness and 13.7% alcohol. It's medium-bodied with abundant herbal flavors and very fine tannins.”
2019 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews
93 Pointz James Suckling
Blackberries, wild raspberries, currants, lemon leaves, licorice and dried spices on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with firm, silky tannins. Very fine and precise. Fantastic freshness.
92 Pointz Vinous
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Catena Alta has a 4% dash of Cabernet Franc and is made with grapes from Lujan de Cuyo and the Uco Valley and aged for 18 months in varied use French barrels. Garnet red with a violet sheen the aromas offer intense notes of ripe blackcurrant and plum with hints of mint, herbs, cedar, and vanilla over gentle scents of red pepper. Presenting grippy tanning in the mouth, the palate is compact in spite of the volume and moderate freshness. A rich, characterful wine.
92 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
There is a faint roasted note in the nose of the 2018 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc, with more Cabernet Franc in this warmer year (compared with 2019). It has a very classical nose, combining the herbal character of the grape with good ripeness of the year, resulting in a very complete wine, nicely textured and with the serious tannins from the variety.
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
91 Pointz Tim Atkins Master of Wine
The Cabernet Sauvignon that makes up all but 4% of this blend with Cabernet Franc is the so-called Margaux clone. Combining fruit from Agrelo, Paraje Altamira, and Villa Bastías, the result is a fine, elegant, harmonious red with cassis and red cherry flavours underpinned by graceful tannins and framed by oak.
2019 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews
93 Pointz James Suckling
“Blackberries, wild raspberries, currants, lemon leaves, licorice, and dried spices on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with firm, silky tannins. Very fine and precise. Fantastic freshness.”
92 Pointz Vinous
“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Catena Alta has a 4% dash of Cabernet Franc and is made with grapes from Lujan de Cuyo and the Uco Valley and aged for 18 months in varied use French barrels. Garnet red with a violet sheen the aromas offer intense notes of ripe blackcurrant and plum with hints of mint, herbs, cedar, and vanilla over gentle scents of red pepper. Presenting grippy tanning in the mouth, the palate is compact in spite of the volume and moderate freshness. A rich, characterful wine.”
92 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“There is a faint roasted note in the nose of the 2018 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc, with more Cabernet Franc in this warmer year (compared with 2019). It has a very classical nose, combining the herbal character of the grape with good ripeness of the year, resulting in a very complete wine, nicely textured and with the serious tannins from the variety.”
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
91 Pointz Tim Atkins, Master of Wine
“The Cabernet Sauvignon that makes up all but 4% of this blend with Cabernet Franc is the so-called Margaux clone. Combining fruit from Agrelo, Paraje Altamira, and Villa Bastías, the result is a fine, elegant, harmonious red with cassis and red cherry flavours underpinned by graceful tannins and framed by oak.”
2018 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews
93 Pointz James Suckling
“A firm, integrated cabernet with attractive plum and chocolate aromas and flavors. Medium body, round tannins, and a delicious, flavorful finish.”
92 Pointz Vinous
“From a combination of terroirs in the Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo, fermented separately, followed by aging for 18 months in French oak, the majority Cabernet Sauvignon combined with 7% Cabernet Franc, this is a textbook wine. Complex, with aromatic notes including red and black fruit, herbs, and oak, it unfolds in layers on the tight, sugary palate, where the grippy tannins provide a precise, enlivening freshness. A surprising wine.”
92 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“There is a faint roasted note in the nose of the 2018 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc, with more Cabernet Franc in this warmer year (compared with 2019). It has a very classical nose, combining the herbal character of the grape with good ripeness of the year, resulting in a very complete wine, nicely textured and with the serious tannins from the variety.”
2017 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews
95 Pointz James Suckling
“This is very perfumed and floral with rose-petal character to the subtle currants. Hints of spices and herbs. Full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins that are polished and intense. So flavorful, yet it remains sophisticated and beautiful. From Agrelo and the center of the Uco Valley. Shows age.”
93 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
“Attractive aromas of strawberry, red cherry, crushed gravel, and peppercorn shape the nose of this full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. It has gripping tannins and concentrated fruit and spices, with notes of mint and black pepper on the structured, vibrant palate. The finish is long, flavorful, and fresh.”
93 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“I was very pleasantly surprised by the 2017 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon, which has a very classical nose, combining the herbal character of the grape with good ripeness of the year, resulting in a very complete wine, nicely textured and with the serious tannins from the variety. I was very impressed by the 2016, and this follows the same path.”
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
93 Pointz Tim Atkin, Master of Wine
“Containing 7% Cabernet Franc to add a leafy, perfumed top note and some extra finesse, this Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon is focused and well balanced with herbal, cassis, and black cherry fruit, good minerality a whiff of graphite.”
2016 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews
93 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The 2016 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon was bottled November 2017 and was also available for tasting even though the wine will be released in 2019. It's a phenomenal effort of freshness, elegance, and finesse while being faithful to the variety. Really impressive.”
92 Pointz James Suckling
“Another 2016 from this producer with plenty of cocoa and cassis. The crisp acidity makes this bold wine very lively and suggests it will age very well.”
89 Pointz Vinous
“Medium-dark red. Aromas of redcurrant, black pepper, and licorice. A bit more pliant, savory, and ripe than the 2016 Malbec, conveying an intriguing salinity to its sweeter redcurrant and spice flavors. But still a step behind the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon in ripeness and inner-mouth perfume. A touch dry on the finish, but shows suaver tannins and more length than the 2016 Malbec.”
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
90 Pointz Tim Atlin, Master of Wine
“This is a big blend by anyone’s standards at 480,000 bottles, made with admirable consistency from a combination of vineyards in Luján and the Uco Valley. Rich, smooth, and concentrated, it has layers of cassis and herbal fruit and textured tannins.”
2015 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews
94 Pointz James Suckling
“This is a nostalgic wine that smells of sweet tobacco, cedar, and walnuts. Reminds me of old, great wines from Argentina in the 1960s. Full-bodied with sweet tannins and wonderful flavors of dark berries, chocolate, and cedar. Aged in old barrels for 24 months, but you don’t feel it.”
92 Pointz Jeb Dunnuck
“While I wasn’t able to taste the 2016, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Catena Alta Historic Rows showed beautifully, with plenty of cassis and black cherry fruits, notes of leafy herbs, damp earth, and cedar, medium to full body, and silky, polished tannins. I love its balance and purity, and while it’s certainly delicious today, I suspect it will cruise for 10-15 years on its balance and overall harmony.”
92 Pointz Vinous
“Bright medium ruby. In-your-face Cabernet aromas of redcurrant, plum, tobacco leaf, and mocha. Suave, fine-grained, and subtly penetrating, with a thickness of texture leavened by perfectly integrated acidity. Finishes with terrific building length and serious but harmonious tannins that spread out to saturate the front teeth. At once subtle and stuffed with material, this Cabernet boasts a lovely balance of sweet fruit, acidity, and tannins.”
92 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“As always, the 2015 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of different plots in order to achieve greater complexity. It usually comes from the La Pirámide, Domingo, and Nicasia vineyards, with approximately 50% of the grapes from Luján and the other half from Valle de Uco. It contains some 5% Cabernet Franc. It fermented in 500-liter French oak barrels and aged in 225- and 500-liter oak barrels for 18 months. It's super varietal, with powerful herbal and spicy aromatics, serious and without a trace of heat. It has an elegant and fresh palate with bright, vibrant flavors and great length. I consider this a real triumph, as 2015 was very challenging for Cabernet, especially in Luján, where they avoided harvesting earlier.”
89 Pointz Wine Spectator
“Firm and fleshy, with an engaging minerality to the dried red fruit and berry flavors. Cocoa powder detail lingers on the sanguine finish.”
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
91 Pointz Tim Atkin, Master of Wine
“The 5% Cabernet Franc that features in the blend here may not sound like a lot, but it adds a leafy top note to this elegant, refreshing, well-judged Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon. Zesty and balanced, with plum and blueberry fruit and a fresh finish.”
2014 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews
92 Pointz Vinous
“Bright dark red. A bit muskier and lower-toned on the nose than the Catena Alta Malbec, offering scents of dark berries and chocolate. Then opened quickly and gained in verve, showing e fine-grained texture and a high-altitude light touch to its spicy red and darker berry flavors. Pungent acidity is keeping this juicy wine quite tight today.”
91 Pointz James Suckling
“A layered and flavorful red with currant and fresh herb character. Medium body, fine tannins. Drink now.”
91 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The 2014 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon changed the blend slightly and was harvested earlier to preserve freshness. The idea worked nicely, obtaining a balanced and fresh varietal wine, still a little young, and even if the puppy fat is still there, the underlying acidity and freshness is great.”
90 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
“Ripe berry and cassis aromas exhibit clearer notes of mocha and herbs the longer this breathes. A tight palate is anchored by a grip of tannins. Plum, currant, and tobacco flavors precede a finish with lifting acidity and integrated oak.”
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
90 Pointz Tim Atkin, Master of Wine
“Another Catena red that seems to be tailor-made for certain type of American consumer, this is a cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon with 5% Cabernet Franc. Leafy, minty, cassis fruit is complemented by spicy, aromatic oak and vanilla sweetness.”
2013 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews
94 Pointz James Suckling
“A fruity and bright cabernet sauvignon. So perfumed with currants and rose bush. Full body, firm tannic backbone, and beautiful acidity. Long and tangy. Vibrant.”
93 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The 2013 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon is ultra classical, with textbook varietal aromas and great freshness. The climatic conditions of the growing season seem to have worked perfectly for Cabernet in the higher altitude zones and this is a great example. The palate has very fine tannins and lively acidity. There is superb balance here.”
90 Pointz Wine & Spirits
“A gentle expression of cabernet sauvignon, this comes from the vines planted in the 1980s in the sandy soils of Agrelo. It melts into the palate, with sweet, ripe flavors spreading into every corner of the mouth.”
2012 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews
94 Pointz James Suckling
“This is a beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon with pretty ripe fruit and currants, blackberries, and spices. Full and silky. Fine finish.”
92 Pointz Vinous
“Sexy smoky currant and tobacco leaf on the nose. Supple, generous, and sweet; showing less obvious acidity today but more depth than the regular Cabernet. Finishes with big, tongue-dusting, very ripe tannins that are in sync with the wine's acids. Very suave and elegant wine.”
92 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The 2012 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon is produced with grapes from different zones of Mendoza, La Piramide around the winery in Agrelo, Nicasia at 1,095 meters altitude in Altamira in the Uco Valley, and Domingo in Villa Bastias in Tupungato. Harvesting the whites they learn about the vintage and make decisions about the harvest dates for the rest. In the slightly warmer 2012 they harvested a little earlier to keep the freshness. The decision clearly paid off as the wine feels quite Atlantic (a rarity in a warmish year), is subtle, balanced, and austere. A Cabernet in uppercase.”
92 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
“Foresty, earthy aromas of leather and black fruits are rugged and a tough rustic. In the mouth, this is voluminous and chewy, with fresh acidity. Flavors of licorice, herbs, pepper, plum, and blackberry finish with light herbal notes and bright acidity that will ensure a fairy long lifespan.”
90 Pointz Wine & Spirits
“From the sandy gravel soils of La Pirámide Vineyard in Agrelo, this is ripe and ample in style. Yet for all its sweet, dried fruit and spice notes, the tannin structure is fierce, delivering enough power to maintain the balance. A generous cabernet for lamb stew.”
90 Pointz Wine Spectator
“A ripe and deeply spiced red, with dark plum and dried blackberry flavors that are rich and smoky. Fresh acidity provides the backdrop, leading to a long, lingering finish of hoisin sauce and dark chocolate accents.”
2011 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews
92 Pointz Vinous
“Shows blacker fruits on the nose than the 2012 Cabernet, along with complicating notes of bitter chocolate, spices, and dried flowers. Then broad, dense, and light on its feet, with flavors of plum, redcurrant, mocha, minerals, and dried flowers given additional depth by a saline element. This firmly structured wine finishes with dusty, horizontal tannins that call for a few years of patience.”
92 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The 2011 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon is produced with grapes from different Mendoza zones. There are tons of cracked black pepper aromas along with notes of cured meat, meaty blackberries, and a herbal hint. It is quite European-styled in its balanced austerity. The serious and balanced palate is medium-bodied with earthy tannins.”
92 Pointz Wine & Spirits
“Built on a solid platform of tannins and concentrated fruit, this wine needs air to reveal its complexity, allowing the acidity and layered fruit to shine. Full bodied and firm.”
90 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
“Wild berry, licorice, and plum aromas are solid but quiet. This Cabernet is built on leathery, tough tannins and roasted, savory flavors of saucy berry and plum. A spunky, savory tasting finish is tomatoey and leathery, with leftover sauciness.”
89 Pointz Wine Spectator
“A taut red, with loads of acidity to the dried currant, raspberry, and spiced cherry flavors. Pomegranate and black olive notes linger on the firmly tannic finish.”
2010 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews
92 Pointz Stephen Tanzer’s
International Wine Cellar
“Bright ruby-red. Aromas of cassis and blackberry lifted by violet and spices. Lush and dense on the palate, but with harmonious acidity giving shape and definition to the graceful dark fruit and floral flavors. This stands above most Argentine cabernets owing to its combination of richness and finesse. Finishes serious and long, with excellent tannic grip. Winemaker Alejandro Vigil told me that this rather large bottling (around 8,000 cases) is made up of 350 different lots.”
92 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The 2010 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon contains 12% of whole-cluster Cabernet Franc and the grapes are sourced from the vineyards of La Piramide around their impressive winery in Agrelo, Nicasia at 1,095 meters altitude in Altamira in the Uco Valley and Domingo. 2010 is a fresh and balanced vintage and this wine, which fermented in used 225-liter barrels, reflects it very well: is very fresh, with a strong herbaceous note of mint, very intense but the aromas are really more about the soil and less about the fruit, which gives it a serious character, a Cabernet no doubt helped by the addition of Cabernet Franc, with great acidity and a fine texture. A superb wine.”
90 Pointz Wine Spectator
“Fine and focused, spotting a core of ripe cassis and macerated cherry, marked by medium tannins and nuances of spice, mocha, and graphite.”