"Tikal is owned by Ernesto Catena, son of Argentine wine pioneer Nicolás Catena, and is named after his son. Ernesto spent his childhood in the vineyards of Mendoza among wine-growers and local pundits. Since then, he has experienced a kaleidoscope of cultures, living in New York, Buenos Aires, Berkeley, Cambridge (MA), Milan and London. But his heart remains in his homeland of Argentina (where he now lives), with its natural beauty of mountains, streams and vineyards, its wines, and its people who hold a special passion for living.
There are few wine brands that reflect the sensibilities of their owner more than Tikal. A skilled horseman, fashion designer, software developer, and book editor, Ernesto pursues all that gives pleasure in life. This hedonism (in the best sense of the word) shows through in the wines. It is a style meant to provide enormous pleasure rather than provoke contemplation; an expression of emotion rather than intellect. He has named his wines with passion in mind: Patriota (Patriot), Amorio (Love Affair), Jubilo (Rejoice). Please click on any of the underlined wines to view notes on the current releases.
Luis Reginato is the winemaker at Tikal as of the 2002 vintage. Luis is young, but is already a highly trained and respected vineyard consultant and winemaker with long experience at his family's winery in Mendoza. Truly an up and coming talent, Luis and his wines are already garnering high praise from U.S. wine critics. Definitely a winemaker to watch."
63a
Argentina » Mendoza Province
“A youngwine,ithasafreshstylewithvioletfloralaromasand flavors of plum, cherries, dried berries, and an aftertaste of white peppercorns. Idealtoconsumenowforitsrobustand untameable vitality.”-Winemaker’s Notes “Ernesto Catena Selections are an expression of
7cArgentina » Uco Valley
Wine Advocate 91 "I also tasted the 2015 Natural, which was a good chance to compare the two vintages of this Malbec with 30% Syrah from
7eArgentina » Mendoza Province
Vinous Media 91 "Dark red-ruby. Very sexy spicy oak lift to the aromas of blackberry, boysenberry and licorice. At once juicy and supple, with good energy
53eArgentina » Mendoza Province
“Deep colored, with complex aromas in which one finds the plum and violet typical of the varietal, coupled with a hint of fig jam, in
Wine Advocate 92 "The 2011 Tikal Patriota is a blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Bonarda from Vista Flores and La Vendimia from 14-year-old vines. It
Wine Advocate 91 "The 2011 Tikal Natural is a blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Syrah both organically farmed in Vista Flores from 10-year-old vines. It
Wine Spectator 91 "Gushes with showy fruit--fig, currant, almost overripe plum--along with exotic spice, incense, tar and licorice flavors. Yet stays focused and pure, with fine-grained
Wine Advocate 87 "The 2014 Padrillos Malbec is sourced from the Uco Valley, cold fermented in stainless steel with 20% inner staves. The wine is clean
"Riding a wild stallion in the vast Andes, at the foot of the Aconcagua Mountain, is a true feeling of freedom. Awaiting us, this stallion
Vinous Media 90 "(this project of Ernesto Catena specializes in Malbec blends; from a biodynamically farmed vineyard): Full medium ruby. Cassis, violet and espresso on the
Robert Parker 92 "The 2006 Amorio (100% Malbec), from a great vintage, spent 12 months in French oak, 60% new. It is opaque purple-colored with a
Wine Advocate 91 "The 2010 Patriota is a blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Bonarda aged for 12 months in French and American oak. A glass-coating
Robert Parker 92 "The 2009 Amorio is 100% Malbec sourced from an ungrafted 43-year-old vineyard and aged for 16 months in 60% new French oak before
Wine Spectator 91 "Rich but very well-focused, with Kenya AA coffee framing the roasted fig, hoisin sauce and plum pudding notes, which glide through the graphite-supported
"A dark, jammy red that weaves baking spice, toasty oak and dark licorice with dense blackberry, cassis and kirsch notes. Coarse tannins close in on
Wine Spectator 91 WS TOP 100 2014 Rank 45 "A rich red, packed with concentrated flavors of blackberry, dark plum and mocha, featuring plenty of dark chocolate
James Suckling 93 "Very cool wine that is delicious to drink and offers the balance and intensity of top reds from the Rhone Valley. Full-bodied and
Vinous Media 90 "Bright medium ruby. Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, licorice pastille, cocoa powder and dark chocolate. Plush, supple and sweet, with broad blackberry and
Wine Spectator 91 "A rich and elegant red, with a deep well of dark plum, raspberry and fig flavors, accented by concentrated Asian spice notes.
James Suckling 94 "This is very intense with sea salt, blackberry and dried meat aromas and flavors. Full body, chewy and polished tannins and a long
Wine Advocate 89 “The 2013 Siesta Malbec was sourced from their estate vineyard in Vista Flores. It matured for 14-16 months in a combination of French
James Suckling 92 "A rich and dense red with lots of blueberry and blackberry aromas and flavors. Full body, velvety tannins and a fresh finish. Chewy
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