The Argentine Malbec category has gotten nearly as crowded as the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc section as so many producers have joined the party over the past few years.  Too bad.  Most of them- especially those under $20 a bottle- are really boring!  But here is an all-time PRIMA favorite in the Argentine Malbec category that way overdelivers for the price.  The winery needs no introduction here as Catena has been a fixture here for decades and is as venerable as any wine property in the Southern Hemisphere.  They planted their first Malbec vineyards in the Mendoza Valley way back in 1902!  Today the estate is run by third generation Nicolas and his daughter Laura who, when not picking grapes, making wine and directing the Catena wine empire in Argentina, works as an emergency room doctor here in San Francisco!  The grapes for the this cuvee come from 35-year old vines grown at over 3000 feet altitude in the Vista Flores district of the Uco Valley where cold nights and warm days create compact, intense Malbec berries that are just packed with flavor. Beautifully defined, deeply concentrated and immaculately balanced, there is a nice dash of new wood that serves to broaden the palate and let those delightful Malbec flavors fly!  Love steak?  This is an excellent partner that won’t force you to break into the cellar to dig out one of those expensive Cabs!