2023 Catena - Cabernet Franc San Carlos (750ml)

Catena Appellation San Carlos Cabernet Franc highlights a grape that remains one of Argentina's most underrated, even as the Catena family has spent more than a century establishing itself as a pioneer of high-altitude viticulture in Mendoza. This bottling is part of the family's Appellation series, a collection built around individual sub-regions of the Uco Valley, with San Carlos chosen for its long history of producing structured, terroir-driven Cabernet Franc. The wine reflects the family's ongoing effort to showcase varieties beyond Malbec with the same attention to site and altitude.

The fruit comes from the historic San Carlos vineyard at roughly 1,090 meters, where alluvial soil made up mostly of sand and silt sits over thick calcareous layers with rounded stones below. After a cold soak of several days to draw out color and aroma, the wine ferments for two to three weeks with an extended post-fermentation maceration, then ages eleven to thirteen months in French oak, with thirty to forty percent new barrels adding structure alongside the once and twice used wood.

The result shows concentrated red berry fruit with notes of eucalyptus, black pepper, and a touch of bell pepper, backed by soft ash and oak in the background. The palate carries a chalky texture and robust, well-integrated tannins through a long, taut finish. It pairs well with a hearty lamb stew, grilled burgers, or spiced enchiladas.