Bodega Catena Zapata, Maipu (Mendoza, Argentina) Malbec 2015

 Catena, as the producer is usually known, is one of Argentina’s top producers.  They have always championed vineyards planted at high elevations, believing that the cooler temperature and the character of the sunshine make the wines distinctive.  They’ve just introduced two Malbecs from two different areas into the U.S. market.  This one, Lunlunta, comes from a vineyard planted lower down — but still at 2,800 feet elevation is not exactly ground-level — compared to La Consulta (also reviewed this week).  It’s a big, ripe, plush wine with soft tannins and is strikingly different from La Consulta. Tasted side by side, which I suggest you do with a group of friends, it’s a dramatic example that place matter.