From the Uco Valley, the 2020 Malbec Catena spent eight months in barrels. Bright purple in color. The intense, nuanced nose presents notes of fresh and ripe plum with hints of pepper, violet and cedar. Smooth and expansive in the mouth, the juiciness is enhanced by gentle tannins that add depth without getting overly insistent. The 2020 is pleasant with a flavorful flow. This is a textbook Malbec with a modern twist given the moderate sweetness and increased freshness.

The 2020 Catena Malbec shows plenty of roasted notes, toast and ripe fruit, the result of a warmer and riper vintage in 225-liter oak barrels. It reveals a soft and velvety texture, juicy fruit and polished tannins. It finishes dry and surprisingly more austere than I anticipated. There were 2.28 million bottles produced.