Catena Alta Melbec

Producer history

Bodega Catena Zapata traces its founding to 1902, when Italian immigrant Nicola Catena planted an early Malbec vineyard in Mendoza. His grandson, Nicolás Catena Zapata, is credited with modernizing Argentine winemaking from the 1980s onward, importing European and Californian techniques and pioneering plantings at extreme high altitudes in the Uco Valley, including the Adrianna Vineyard (planted 1992, named for his daughter). The winery is now led by Dr. Laura Catena, Nicolás's daughter, who also founded the Catena Institute of Wine, a research center studying high-altitude terroir and Malbec genetics. Head winemaker Alejandro Vigil has been with the estate since 2002. The producer is widely credited within the trade for restoring Malbec's reputation after it had been reduced to a minor blending grape, and for establishing high-altitude Mendoza sites as serious fine-wine terroir.

Signature pairings

• Grilled ribeye steak — The wine's ripe tannin structure and dark fruit concentration are built to cut through the fat and char of grilled beef, a pairing consistent with the Argentine tradition the grape itself is known for.
• Braised lamb shank — The savory, slow-cooked richness of braised lamb matches the wine's oak-derived spice and soft tannin, without overwhelming its fruit.
• Kaeng Massaman neua (beef massaman curry) (แกงมัสมั่นเนื้อ) — Massaman's warm spices (cardamom, cinnamon, clove) echo the wine's own baking-spice and vanilla oak notes, while its coconut-milk richness is substantial enough to stand up to the wine's full body and moderate tannin.