The 2015 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino blends grapes from… old vines. The label shows the history of Malbec with four relevant women (including Madame Phylloxera!) from the 12th century to the rebirth in the 20th century. This is a new blend to break the tendency of so many single-vineyard bottlings and goes back to the blending traditions of the past. It shows really well—expressive, open and ready.
The epic tale of the noble Malbec grape is like no other, and the label for Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino pays tribute to the variety’s history in France and its rise in Argentina. Four female figures embody different landmarks in the history of the grape.
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Eleanor of Aquitaine represents the birth of Malbec. She is a strong, Old World presence, lingering at the bridge in Cahors, where Malbec came into its own.
The Immigrant
Next, the Immigrant symbolizes the movement to the New World and the unknown explorers and adventurers who connected Europe with the Americas.
Madame Phylloxera
Phylloxera personifies the death of Malbec in the Old World, which enabled its rebirth in the new.
Adrianna Catena
Finally, there is Bodega Catena Zapata, represented by Adrianna Catena, who depicts birth, earth, and motherhood, sharing the riches of the New World.
Today, the Catena family’s fourth generation leads the high-altitude renaissance in Argentina.
We are returning Malbec to the sky... where it belongs.