Red Wine: 2017 | Bodega Catena Zapata | Nicolas

Nicols Catena Zapata has an intense, deep purple color with bluish-black tones. On the nose, aromas of black fruits blackberries, black cherries, black plums predominate with subtle notes of vanilla and dark chocolate intermingled with savory hints of green olive and a stony minerality.

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Producer: Bodega Catena Zapata

Ratings: WA | 95 JS | 97

Vintage: 2017

Size: 750ml

ABV: 13.9%

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec

Country/Region: Argentina, Mendoza

Nicols Catena Zapata has an intense, deep purple color with bluish-black tones. On the nose, aromas of black fruits blackberries, black cherries, black plums predominate with subtle notes of vanilla and dark chocolate intermingled with savory hints of green olive and a stony minerality. On the palate, the wine is tremendously complex, unfolding layer upon layer of red currant, eucalyptus, and black pepper flavors. Black cherries and blackberries give way to cassis followed by a hint of saline minerality. The wine is remarkably concentrated with a firm tannic structure providing the backbone for the lush fruit. The finish is long, a foretoken of the long aging potential of this Argentine masterpiece.

Reviews:

• Wine Advocate: The approachable 2017 Nicols Catena Zapata has a little more Cabernet Franc in the blend, even if the majority is Cabernet Sauvignon and there is some Malbec. In 2017, they sourced Cabernet Sauvignon from Altamira and Gualtallary, and it fermented together with the juice of the Cabernet Franc. It has a touch of ripeness in the nose but without excess; it’s balsamic, with the Cabernet dominating the aromatics. The palate comes through as really balanced and perhaps a little lighter. It has very fine tannins and a clean, focused finish.

• James Suckling: Sweet tobacco, walnuts, blackberries and dried flowers on the nose. Full body, yet ultra-fine tannins and a super long finish. Superb finesse and polish.

Producer Information

Bodega Catena Zapata is one of Argentina’s high altitude Malbec pioneers. The Catena family began making wine in Mendoza in 1902. Nicolas Catena, third generation family vintner, was one of the first to see the potential of Mendoza’s mountain vineyards for producing high quality Malbec. In 1994, he became the first Argentine to exprot a world-class bottling of Malbec under the Catena label. Nicolas is joined by his daughter, Dr. Laura Catena, in their relentless pursuit of world-class quality from the family’s high altitude vineyards. Laura has done extensive work in introducing Malbec and other varietal plant selections, soil and climate analysis, and sustainable practices throughout Mendoza. Head winemaker, Alejandro Vigil, has been at Catena Zapata since 2002 and works with Laura and Nicolas to make wines that express the family’s vineyards and palate.