Bodegas CARO - CARO 2022

The idea of forming a partnership between Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and the Catena family was born in 1999. Initial enthusiasm quickly became a concrete plan to produce a single wine that would combine French and Argentine cultures and the two signature grapes of each producer, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Bodegas CARO winery, in the heart of Mendoza, has been producing the wines since the 2003 vintage and serves as the anchor of the CARO project. The renovation of the historic building and gardens in order to expand the winery and open the Bodega to the outside brings the final touch to the original project.

CARO, from Catena and Rothschild, has a strong Argentine identity, characterized by the Malbec grape, which is given further elegance and complexity through blending with Cabernet Sauvignon. The combination produces a voluptuous, refined wine with a harmonious balance between the wine’s Argentinian identity and its Bordeaux style.

CARO reflects the Argentine terroir and the spirit of a Bordeaux Grand Cru and is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels from the Tonnellerie des Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite.

"A blend of 83% Malbec and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 Caro was sourced from Paraje Altamira and Gualtallary in the Uco Valley. Two-thirds of this wine was aged for up to a year in French oak barrels with the remaining one-third in foudres. Garnet-purple in color, it displays complex fruit aromas of plum and cherry, accompanied by thyme, rosemary and a hint of cassis. Juicy and slightly compact, the palate is dominated by fruit and finishes with cedar notes. This is a fine, balanced wine. Drink: 2025-2045.” - 96 Points, Vinous

"A prime example from Caro that shows good freshness, nuances and restraint despite the richness and ripeness from this year. In this case, it shows less cedary oak and creaminess than the more hedonistic 2019 and manages to keep good tension. It is also less intensely herbal and less challenging than the cooler 2021 vintage. Aromas of blueberries, graphite and cocoa powder with touches of violets, herbs and charcoal. The tannins are abundant and seductive on the full-bodied palate. The finish is pretty long, pristine and almost stemmy. A classic Caro. 83% malbec and 17% cabernet sauvignon. Drink now or hold.” - 95 Points, James Suckling

"Caro 2022 (Mendoza; 83% Malbec; 17% Cabernet Sauvignon; 14.6% alcohol). Clear, luminous, but densely structured. Floral, with peony and a wild garrigue herbal element. Tightly structured, quite strict and quite linear. Blocky. Foursquare. Serious. This is very much a vin de garde, impressively so. Very pure, above all on the finish. Dense and compact.” - 95 Points, The Drinks Business

Producer: Bodega CARO

Country: Argentina

Region: Mendoza

Varietal: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation: Mendoza

Vintage: 2020

Size: 750ml