Addy Bassin's MacArthur Beverages - Fine Wine and Spirits Since 1957

"The single-vineyard 2004 Malbec “Adrianna Vineyard” from the Gualtallary district is inky purple with aromas of wood smoke, pencil lead, game, black cherry, and blackberry liqueur. Opulent, full-flavored, yet remarkably light on its feet, this medium to full-bodied Malbec is all about pleasure. It will certainly evolve for a decade but is hard to resist now. It is a fine test of one’s ability to defer immediate gratification. When all is said and done, Catena Zapata is the Argentina winery of reference – the standard of excellence for comparing all others. The brilliant, forward-thinking Nicolas Catena remains in charge, with his daughter, Laura, playing an increasingly large role. The Catena Zapata winery is an essential destination for fans of both architecture and wine in Mendoza. It is hard to believe, given the surge in popularity of Malbec in recent years, that Catena Zapata only began exporting Malbec to the United States in 1994" Jay Miller
- Wine Advocate

"The 2004 Alta Malbec was aged for 18 months in French oak, 70% new, and was also bottled unfined and unfiltered. It offers greater aromatic complexity with notes of pepper, clove, leather, and chocolate in addition to violets, black cherry, and blackberry. Medium-bodied and elegant, it has a plush texture, layers of spicy black fruits and minerality, excellent balance, and a 60-second finish. It will evolve for 5-7 years and drink well through 2025." Jay Miller
- Wine Advocate

"The single-vineyard 2004 Malbec “Nicasia Vineyard” is located in the Altamira district of Mendoza. It was aged for 18 months in new French oak. Opaque purple-colored, it exhibits a complex perfume of pain grille, scorched earth, mineral, licorice, blueberry, and black cherry. Thick on the palate, bordering on opulent, it has layers of fruit, silky tannins, and a long, fruit-filled finish. It will age effortlessly for another 6-8 years and provide pleasure through 2025. When all is said and done, Catena Zapata is the Argentina winery of reference – the standard of excellence for comparing all others. The brilliant, forward-thinking Nicolas Catena remains in charge, with his daughter, Laura, playing an increasingly large role. The Catena Zapata winery is an essential destination for fans of both architecture and wine in Mendoza. It is hard to believe, given the surge in popularity of Malbec in recent years, that Catena Zapata only began exporting Malbec to the United States in 1994" Jay Miller
- Wine Advocate

"The 2006 Cocina Blend is 60% Malbec, 20% Bonarda, and 20% Syrah, was sourced from three regions of Mendoza, and aged for 10 months in 70% French and 30% American oak, 20% new. Purple-colored, it offers notes of cedar, spice box, pencil lead, blueberry, and black cherry. On the palate gamy notes emerge to accompany the sweet fruit. Easy-drinking and seamless, this tasty wine can be enjoyed over the next 5 years." Jay Miller
- Wine Advocate

"The 2005 Malbec was sourced from a 77 year old ungrafted vineyard, and aged for 12 months in 40% new French oak. It is opaque purple-colored with aromas of smoke, toast, violets, and black raspberry. Supple, ripe, and layered, it is firmly structured with well-concealed tannins. It will evolve for 3-5 years and drink well through 2025. The head winemaker and a partner at Mendel is Roberto de la Mota who formerly held the same position at Cheval des Andes." Jay Miller
- Wine Advocate

"The 2007 Torrontes is about as good as this varietal gets. Super fragrant, smelling of a spring flower garden, honey, and exotic spices, from the nose one expects the wine to be sweet. On the palate, however, it is dry with a creamy texture, intense flavors, excellent acidity, and a lengthy finish. It is an ideal alternative for rich courses normally calling for Chardonnay. Drink it over the next 12-18 months. Although Susana Balbos’s Crios offerings are the declassified lots from her more expensive “signature” wines, they need make no apologies. They rank among the best values from my Argentina wine tastings. All of the Crios wines are outstanding values. " Jay Miller
- Wine Advocate

"The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon “Paso de Piedra” was also aged for 6 months in French oak. It is purple-colored with notes of spice box, toasty oak and black currants. Very Medoc-like, it has an elegant personality, lingering black fruit flavors, and 2-3 years of aging potential. It should drink well through 2020." Jay Miller
- Wine Advocate

"The 2006 Cocodrilo Cabernet Sauvignon spent 9 months in French and American oak, 21% new. Purple-colored, it offers a lovely bouquet of spice box, violets, and black currants. Full-bodied and layered, it has a supple texture, ripe flavors, excellent depth and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. It is an outstanding value. Vina Cobos is the Argentina winery of the renowned Paul Hobbs, best known for his namesake wines from California’s North Coast. Hobbs began consulting in South America in 1988 and, early on, became involved with Nicholas Catena in the startup of that winery’s Chardonnay program. In 1998 he temporarily left his consulting projects to start Vina Cobos with the first vintage coming in 1999. In 2005 Vina Cobos constructed its own winery. Paul Hobbs is high on the 2005 and 2006 vintages. At first he felt that 2005 was the finest year (along with 1996) since he started working in Argentina, that is until the 2006 vintage rolled around. It was, he says, “a mild, moderate year with no problems.” The Cobos wines have several tiers. The entry level is the Nativo Collection. The wines are mostly varietal with a small amount of blending. The grapes come primarily from the estate’s own vineyards, but there is sourcing from 5-6 other properties. They all receive oak aging, but the focus at this level is on fruit." Jay Miller
- Wine Advocate