91 Points - Descorchados. Over the last few years, Argentinean Cabernet Franc has got a lot of wine critics very excited. One taste of the Catena Appellation San Carlos Cabernet Franc and its easy to see why. Argentinas pioneering Catena family could be set to do for Cabernet Franc what they did for Malbec. Made from fruit sourced from the family´s historic high-altitude vineyards (1,090m/3,576ft above sea level) in San Carlos, the sandy loam soils are perfect for Cabernet Franc, delivering small, concentrated grapes that are packed with flavour and structural complexity. Following a long, cool fermentation the Catena Appellation San Carlos Cabernet Franc enjoys a year resting in new French oak which adds a luxurious note to this refined wine.

Vivino Rating: 4.1 (Oct 2024)

Wine Press Ratings

91 Points - Patricio Tapia - Descorchados

"This cabernet franc comes from the San Carlos zone, about 1,000 meters above sea level, near the foot of the Andes in the Uco Valley, and from vineyards planted in 1997. It was aged for six to eight months in barrels, one third new oak, and is a ripe and succulent example of the variety, with very soft tannins and sharp acidity to refresh. A varietal franc with the ripe flavors of the mountain sun shining down on both the nose and palate."

92 Points - Descorchados (2019 Vintage)

"The San Carlos Vineyard in the Uco Valley, near the foot of the Andes, is rich in sand and calcareous deposits and thats evident in this cabernet franc, a variety that seems to be very comfortable at those heights (more than 1,000 meters up) and in those mountain desert conditions in Uco, in southern Mendoza. The tannins have the texture of chalk, while the flavors are ripe and tempered by the local sun. The herbal notes of cabernet franc appear toward the end of the finish, providing freshness and complexity."

Taste

Suitably, and deeply coloured the Catena Appellation San Carlos Cabernet Franc blends familiarity with freshness. The nose has a strong varietal character of leafy blackcurrants, red berries and mint, with unusual notes of coffee, eucalyptus, and vanilla. Its a theme that continues onto the palate where crushed blackcurrants, raspberries, loganberries and mint intertwine with blueberries, charcoal, and minerals. Fresh and full at the same time, this is a versatile food wine that will go with everything from game birds to mushroom risotto or blue cheese tartlets.

About the Producer

Catena has become a byword for Argentinean wine brilliance. Founded in 1902 and now run by Dr. Laura Catena, it has helped make Malbec Argentinas signature grape.  Pioneers from the start, Nicolas Cantenas belief in high altitude viniculture has given birth to an entirely new style of Malbec wines, ones that are as refined as a Classed Growth Bordeaux , but which retain that Latin flair that makes Argentinean Malbec so popular. Their estate is made up of six vineyards in the Luján de Cuyo, Tupungato and San Carlos sub-regions of Mendoza, at altitudes ranging from 3,000 to an ear-popping 4,750 feet (920 to 1450 meters) above sea level. Quality is all that matters here, and from their entry-level wines such as the Catena Appellation La Consulta Malbec 2019 to the rare Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino, their obsession with excellence shines through.