Catalpa Malbec

Catalpa Malbec is a 100% Malbec wine from Bodega Atamisque in Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, bottled at 14–14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Sourced from organically farmed vines aged 70 to 80 years and produced using gravity-flow winemaking, this expression earned 92 points from James Suckling on the 2017 vintage.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14–14.5%  |  Origin: Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina  |  100% Malbec, Old Vine  |  Producer: Bodega Atamisque

Production & Heritage

Bodega Atamisque sits at approximately 4,430 feet elevation in Tupungato, one of the most prized sub-regions of the Uco Valley. The estate relies on organically farmed old vines — between 70 and 80 years of age — which naturally produce lower yields and more concentrated fruit. What truly distinguishes the Catalpa line is Atamisque's four-level gravity-flow winery: grapes are double sorted, fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness, and the juice is never pumped at any stage. This means the delicate chemical bonds that form the wine's tannin structure remain intact from sorting table to bottle. After fermentation, the wine ages for 12 months in French oak barrels followed by an additional 6 months of bottle aging before release.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with intense blackberry, blueberry, and crushed violet, layered with secondary notes of dried herbs, peppercorns, and lavender. Deeper in the glass, subtle hints of coffee, mocha, and tobacco leaf emerge.

Taste: The entry is supple and juicy, with generous black and blue fruit immediately filling the palate. Mid-palate, baked dark cherry and currant mingle with licorice and coffee, supported by a dense, concentrated fruit core. The tannins are remarkably fine-grained and creamy — a direct result of the gravity-flow process — providing serious structure without heaviness.

Finish: Medium-long and tightly wound, with savory tobacco leaf and a touch of minerality lingering alongside dark fruit. The finish stays balanced, never veering into over-extraction despite the wine's considerable concentration.

How to Drink Catalpa Malbec

This wine rewards pouring into a large-bowled glass with 20–30 minutes of breathing time to let the old-vine complexity unfold. Serve slightly below room temperature, around 60–64°F, to keep the fruit bright and the tannins integrated. While built for the table, it stands confidently on its own.

Best For

• A centerpiece red for an Argentine-themed asado dinner
• Gifting to a wine lover exploring high-altitude Malbec
• Pairing alongside a special steak or braised short rib dinner
• Building a collection of old-vine South American wines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Catalpa Malbec taste like? Catalpa Malbec delivers dense black and blue fruit — blackberry, blueberry, and dark cherry — layered with coffee, tobacco, lavender, and licorice, all carried by ultra-fine tannins and balanced acidity.

How does Catalpa Malbec compare to Catena Malbec? Both are benchmark Argentine Malbecs from high-altitude Mendoza vineyards, but Catalpa draws from significantly older vines (70–80 years) and uses strict gravity-flow winemaking, which tends to produce finer, more integrated tannins. Catena Malbec is more widely distributed and often positioned as an accessible everyday Malbec, while Catalpa leans toward a more concentrated, structured profile.

Is Catalpa Malbec good for sipping on its own? Yes — its concentrated fruit, complex aromatics, and polished tannin structure make it an excellent wine for sipping neat, particularly with some time to breathe in the glass.

Where is Catalpa Malbec made? Catalpa Malbec is produced by Bodega Atamisque, located in Tupungato in the Uco Valley of Mendoza, Argentina, at an elevation of roughly 4,430 feet above sea level.

What foods pair well with Catalpa Malbec? Grilled ribeye steak complements the wine's dark fruit and savory depth. Braised lamb shanks echo its tobacco and herb notes. Empanadas with spiced beef mirror the peppery undertones. Aged Gouda or Manchego cheese highlight its concentrated fruit. Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage plays well with the mocha and coffee character.

What sizes does Catalpa Malbec come in? Catalpa Malbec is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Catalpa Malbec worth the price? Catalpa Malbec positions as a premium expression within Argentine Malbec, justified by its old-vine sourcing, organic farming, gravity-flow production, and 12 months of French oak aging — details typically associated with wines at significantly higher price points.

Why Catalpa Malbec?

The combination of 70-to-80-year-old organically farmed vines and a fully gravity-fed winery is uncommon at any price tier, let alone among Mendoza's mid-to-upper range Malbecs. That production rigor shows up in the glass: the tannins are notably finer and more seamlessly integrated than what most Argentine Malbecs at a comparable level deliver. James Suckling's 92-point score on the 2017 vintage underscores the consistency of quality here. For anyone seeking old-vine intensity from one of Uco Valley's best-situated estates without entering ultra-premium territory, Catalpa Malbec is a serious and rewarding choice.