Ernesto Catena Animal Malbec
Having friends who travel frequently is a great boon to my wine collection. In particular, one friend of mine seems to travel constantly. Thankfully, she’s very generous and usually picks up a bottle or two of wine for me if she’s been to a wine country. To my delight, she’s visited Argentina several times. One of those trips netted me a bottle of Animal Malbec.
For all that Argentina rightfully claims responsibility for Malbec’s rise to international attention and glory, even this lauded wine country produces some wines that are table quality at best. Since my friend usually chooses wine in Duty Free as she’s running for a flight (she’s always late) I never know what I’m getting. The angels must have guided her hand to this wine from Ernesto Catena.
Ernest Catena Vineyards reveals its passion for wine through the treatment of its vineyards. The winery’s team lives by organic and non interventionalist principals. The resulting wine expresses a balance with nature and the beauty of the Altamira, Mendoza vineyards.
The Animal Malbec spent 10 months in oak and blends wine aged in both French and American barrels. At 13.3% ABV, the 2015 vintage was a beautiful, opaque purple red. On the nose, milk chocolate and cocoa-dusted blackberries and raspberries. Elegant tannins and mouth-watering acid carried the flavors of chocolate, juicy berries, and leather on a long finish.
Really a gorgeous wine I was lucky to experience.