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By a stroke of coincidence, while I was in Victoria (Vancouver Island, not Australia) \u00a0today I got to try through this set of wines from Argentina star winery Catena, presented by Catena\u2019s Andrea Nu\u00f1ez and Daniel Stiefvater of Trialto (the company that brings them into this part of Canada). I was impressed, especially by the two high-end Chardonnays, and also the Malbecs. The wines here seem to have moved in a positive direction: they were always good, but they\u2019ve got better. For more information on the rather special White Bones and White Stones Chardonnays, and why they are different, see here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Catena Alta Historic Rows Chardonnay 2014 Mendoza, Argentina Catena Adrianna Vineyard White Stones Chardonnay 2013 Mendoza, Argentina Catena White Bones Chardonnay 2013 Mendoza, Argentina Catena Alta Malbec Historic Rows 2013 Mendoza, Argentina Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon Historic Rows 2011 Mendoza, Argentina<\/strong> Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino 2011 Mendoza, Argentina Nicholas Catena Zapata 2011 Mendoza, Argentina
\n<\/strong>Adrianna and Domingo vineyard, 70% malolactic, 10-12 months in oak. Textured and nutty with some fine spiciness. It\u2019s broad and mealy but there\u2019s nice acidity with a bit of tension on the finish. Fine spicy finish, with some nuttiness. 92\/100
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\n<\/strong>Fermented and aged in in 500 litre puncheons for 20-24 months. From stony soils with some limestone on them. There\u2019s intensity to this wine, which shows pear and peach fruit with some lemony detail. Complex fennel and nut characters, as well as a bit of waxiness, and also a distinct slightly resinous mint character that reminds me of Fernet and Mediterranean herbs. Lovely mineral characters on the finish. Intriguing combining richness and freshness. 94\/100
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\n<\/strong>This is from just 100 m away from the white stones, and it\u2019s completely different. So fresh, floral and mineral with lovely precision and fine lemony fruit. There\u2019s a really lovely mineral quality here with a stony edge and taut citrus fruits, as well as some subtle mint characters lurking. There\u2019s a really fine lemony finish that just keeps on going. A beautiful wine with concentration, purity and finesse. 96\/100
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\n<\/strong>Four vineyards: La Pyramide, Angelica, Adrianna and Nicasia. Sleek, floral nose with lovely fresh cherries. The palate is supple and fruit driven with great balance and a lovely stony detail to the cherry and plum fruit. I love the floral aromatics and the freshness on the palate. 94\/100
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\nTwo vineyards: La Pyramide and Domingo. Some warm cedary notes alongside the chalky black fruits on the nose. The palate is fresh and detailed with some spicy warmth, some grainy, chalky gravelly structure and a nice savoury edge to the blackcurrant and blackberry fruit. Very stylish. 93\/100<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Nicosia and Adrianna vineyards, 24 months in oak. Textural and concentrated with a fine-grained tannic structure and a hint of oak (but it\u2019s well integrated). The palate combines fresh, floral, pretty red cherry and berry fruits with some structure and an appealing, sweet, rounded textural quality. There are layers of flavour here. It\u2019s modern and ripe but beautifully balanced and beguiling. Power and elegance combine. 94\/100
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\n<\/strong>A blend that depends on the year. This is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Malbec. Sweetly aromatic, liqueur-like blackcurrant fruit nose is pure and modern. Concentrated palate with structured blackcurrant and berry fruit with fine spices. Quite structured with some freshness on the finish. A modern wine with real class, and which needs a bit of time to show its best. 93\/100<\/p>\n