Catena Zapata - Nicolas Catena Zapata - Malbec Blend
95 points - The Wine Advocate
96 points - The Wine Advocate
96 points - The Wine Advocate
96 points - The Wine Advocate
96 points - The Wine Advocate
Catena Zapata - Nicolas Catena Zapata - Malbec Blend
95 points - The Wine Advocate
96 points - The Wine Advocate
96 points - The Wine Advocate
96 points - The Wine Advocate
96 points - The Wine Advocate
Regular price€116.40
€116.40
/
- In stock
- Inventory on the way
2020 was a very dry and low-yielding year, with 20% to 30% less crop, and the grapes were picked early. The 2020 Nicolás Catena Zapata was produced with a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and 21% Malbec, higher in Franc than ever, for the first time more than Malbec, to compensate for the warm and dry conditions.
The wine is ripe and very peppery. It matured in new and second-use French oak barrels for 18 months. It was a healthy crop with concentration and ripeness, and the wine comes through as powerful and quite classical, still a little oaky, with power and balance.
The 2019 Nicolás Catena Zapata was produced with 42% Cabernet Sauvignon from Gualtallary (Adrianna Vineyard), 30% Malbec from Altamira (Nicasia Vineyard) and a high percentage of Cabernet Franc (28%), also from Adrianna, which took the place of Cabernet Sauvignon. It fermented in small oak barrels, concrete and stainless steel tanks with a short post-fermentative maceration. Élevage was in first and second-use French oak barrels and lasted for 18 months, including malolactic. This is always quite classical in style, with some spiciness from the barrels and hints of smoke and toast, still very young and undeveloped. It has the traditional Bordeaux-blend character and is herbal, floral and spicy, with a beautiful texture, very nice balance and very fine, chalky tannins. 2019 was a very dry year, and the berries were small, very healthy and delivered powerful wines. It has 13.7% alcohol, mellow acidity and good freshness, reflecting a relatively cool season, and comes though as elegant, with the stuffing and balance to develop nicely over the years in bottle. 66,000 bottles were filled in January 2021.
The 2018 Nicolás Catena Zapata was produced with 65% Cabernet Sauvignon from Gualtallary (Adrianna vineyard, with the Cabernet Sauvignon, interplanted with some Cabernet Franc) and 35% Malbec from Altamira (Nicasia vineyard).
They no longer use grapes from Agrelo, and this is also a lot higher in Malbec than in other recent vintages. So, it has a very different profile, a change that started in 2017, with more contained ripeness and more freshness, and the wine is intense, keeping some of the Cabernet character (tobacco, blackberries) and the floral notes from Malbec.
It comes through as balanced and harmonious, with very fine tannins and a long finish and perfect ripeness.
Nicolas Catena Zapata is a classic wine in Argentina. With its first vintage in 1997, it has always been Catena’s response to the great cabernets of the world. In this case, it has 50% cabernet sauvignon plus malbec and other varieties such as cabernet franc, petit verdot, and merlot. When we consider that this is 50% cabernet sauvignon and 15% cabernet franc, it’s normal that there are lots of herbal and tobacco notes here. A wine with powerful red fruits, juicy acidity, and tremendous potential for aging in the bottle
Nicolas Catena Zapata is a classic wine in Argentina. With its first vintage in 1997, it has always been Catena’s response to the great cabernets of the world. In this case, it has 50% cabernet sauvignon plus malbec and other varieties such as cabernet franc, petit verdot, and merlot. When we consider that this is 50% cabernet sauvignon and 15% cabernet franc, it’s normal that there are lots of herbal and tobacco notes here. A wine with powerful red fruits, juicy acidity, and tremendous potential for aging in the bottle
Type: |
Red |
Country: |
Argentina |
Region: |
Mendoza |
Producer: |
Catena Zapata |
Grapes/Blend: |
Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc |
Serving temp: |
16° - 18° C |
ABV: |
13.5% |
Pairing Sugesstions: |
Grilled Meats, Beef, Lamb, Pork, Cheese and Charcuterie Boards, Pasta Dishes, Tomato-Based Dishes, Salads, Manchego, Cheddar, Chocolate |
Local Delivery
We have a fleet of vans that deliver throughout the French and Italian Riviera, rates calculated based on distance at cart stage. Option to book time and date.
For deliveries further afield, please call for a quote: +33 4 65 84 99 51
France / Monaco
1 - 2 working days delivery in France, for orders placed before 2pm.
Options for couriers and drop off points available at checkout.
EU - Mainland
1 - 3 day delivery throughout mainland EU, for orders placed before 2pm. Allow an extra day for islands.
Options for couriers and drop off points available at checkout.
Rest of the World
Please call for a quote: +33 4 65 84 99 51
