The Catena family has been so successful with Malbec over the decades that it seems on auto-pilot. But it makes a range of wines and appears to be fine tuning its efforts with Cabernet Franc. This 2018 is from one of the cooler, high elevation sites in the family’s Uco Valley vineyards. Aged in French oak (35% new) for 12 months, it comes across as much more refined and vibrant than the typical Malbec or many Cabernet Francs in my experience. The nose highlights a perfumed floral and cherry personality with light oak in the background. The flavors are consistent again with sweet black cherry and ultra-fine-grained tannins taking it all to a lingering finish. With good energy and tension, it is refreshingly different.
Catena, San Carlos (Mendoza, Argentina) Cabernet Franc 2018
By Norm Roby