Catena Zapata Nicasia Malbec 2019

Catena Zapata Nicasia Malbec 2019

 

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Catena Zapata
Nicasia Malbec 2019
  • Vintage : 2019
  • Country : Argentina
  • Region : Mendoza
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Deep Full Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 14,8°
  • Grappes : 100% Malbec

Catena Zapata Nicasia Malbec is a refined and elegant single-vineyard Malbec, produced from meticulously selected vines in one of the Catena family’s historic vineyards.

Experts Score Vintage
RP Robert Parker 97 2019
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 96 2019
JS James Suckling 95 2019
TA Tim Atkin 94 2019
WS Wine Spectator 93 2019
W&S Wines & Spirits 91 2019
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Nicasia Vineyard is located in Altamira, within the renowned La Consulta district of the Uco Valley in Mendoza, Argentina. This region is celebrated for its unique terroir, which provides ideal growing conditions for Malbec.

  • Situated at an impressive elevation of 1,095 meters (3,593 feet) above sea level, the vineyard benefits from cool mountain breezes and significant diurnal temperature variation, which allow the grapes to ripen slowly, preserving their natural acidity and aromatic intensity.
  • The sandy soils in this vineyard ensure excellent drainage, resulting in small, concentrated berries that produce wines of power, elegance, and purity.
  • Planted in 1996, the vines are trained using the Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP) system. With yields of only 1.2 tons per acre, the vineyard produces low-yield, high-quality fruit with exceptional concentration.

The vineyard’s northwestern exposure allows for optimal sunlight during the ripening period, ensuring balanced development of flavor, tannin, and acidity.

Winemaking

The Catena Zapata Nicasia Malbec is crafted using meticulous, small-scale winemaking techniques to capture the vineyard’s unique character and preserve the integrity of the fruit.

The wine is made from 100% Malbec. Grapes are hand-harvested and carefully sorted before undergoing alcoholic fermentation in a combination of vertical open barriques and small stainless-steel tanks. Fermentation lasts for 17 days at temperatures ranging between 25°C and 30°C (77-86°F), with manual punch-downs ensuring gentle extraction of color, tannins, and flavors.

After fermentation, the wine undergoes an extended 26-day maceration on the skins to enhance its structure and depth. The wine is then transferred to 100% new French oak barriques (225L) for 18 months of aging, allowing for seamless integration of oak, softening of tannins, and development of complex secondary flavors. A final period of 24 months of bottle aging ensures that the wine is beautifully refined upon release.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Intense, deep violet with garnet reflections.
  • Aroma: The nose is rich and expressive, offering ripe notes of blackcurrant, red raspberries, and subtle floral hints of violet. Delicate layers of vanilla, spicecake, and a touch of elegant French oak add further complexity.
  • Palate: Full-bodied and harmonious, with velvety tannins and a luxurious texture. Flavors of ripe blueberries, cassis, and dark plums mingle with nuances of vanilla and a whisper of baking spices. The wine is layered and structured, leading to a long, smooth finish with lingering notes of dark fruit and subtle oak.

Did You Know?

The Nicasia Vineyard was planted by the Catena family in 1996 as part of their vision to produce single-vineyard wines that reflect Mendoza’s high-altitude terroir. The vineyard’s precise location in Altamira is one of the most sought-after sub-regions of the Uco Valley due to its sandy soils and cool climate, which produce Malbec wines of finesse and longevity.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Filet de bœuf rôti avec sauce aux champignons shiitake : La richesse et la complexité du vin s’accordent magnifiquement avec les saveurs umami et la texture tendre du filet.
  • Côte de bœuf grillée aux herbes : La structure tannique et les notes épicées du Malbec subliment la viande grillée.
  • Agneau rôti aux herbes provençales : Les saveurs juteuses et les épices du vin équilibrent la tendreté de l’agneau.
  • Empanadas à la viande : Les arômes de fruits noirs et l’élégance du chêne se marient parfaitement avec ce plat argentin classique.

History of Catena Zapata Estate

Founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena, Catena Zapata has been a family-owned winery for over a century. The estate saw significant evolution under the leadership of Nicola’s grandson, Nicolás Catena Zapata, who joined the family business in the early 1980s.

Nicolás Catena's vision was instrumental in transforming the Argentinian wine industry. His focus on high-altitude viticulture, particularly in the Andean foothills, has been a key factor in achieving the unique expression of Mendoza's wines.

Nicolás Catena’s daughter, Dr. Laura Catena, a Harvard and Stanford-trained biologist and physician, joined the winery in the 1990s. She has continued her father's legacy, emphasizing scientific research and sustainable practices. Under her guidance, Catena Zapata has been at the forefront of vineyard research, studying the effects of altitude, climate, and soil on wine quality.

Region and Vineyards

Catena Zapata is located in the Mendoza region, specifically in the sub-regions of Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. The vineyards are planted at elevations ranging from 920 meters (3,020 feet) to 1,450 meters (4,757 feet) above sea level. The high-altitude vineyards provide a unique microclimate with significant diurnal temperature variations, which contribute to the grapes' complex flavors and balanced acidity.

The estate’s top vineyards include:

  • Adrianna Vineyard: Located at 1,450 meters, this is one of the highest vineyards in Mendoza and is renowned for producing exceptional Chardonnay and Malbec.
  • Nicasia Vineyard: Situated at 1,095 meters in the Altamira district of the Uco Valley, known for its Malbec and Cabernet Franc.
  • La Pirámide Vineyard: Found at 950 meters in Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, this vineyard is celebrated for its Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wine Range

Catena Zapata offers a diverse range of wines, showcasing the rich variety of Mendoza’s terroir. The portfolio includes:

  • Catena Alta: High-quality varietal wines representing the best of the estate's vineyards.
  • Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard: Single-vineyard wines from the prestigious Adrianna Vineyard, including the iconic "White Bones" and "White Stones" Chardonnay.
  • Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino: A flagship Malbec that exemplifies the winery’s dedication to high-altitude viticulture.
  • Nicolás Catena Zapata: The winery’s flagship Bordeaux-style blend, which has gained international acclaim.

Did you know?

Catena Zapata was the first winery in Argentina to receive a 100-point score from a major wine publication, awarded by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate for the 2016 Adrianna Vineyard "River" Malbec.

Robert Parker (RP) : 97 Points (2019)
The 2019 Malbec Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard comes from a vineyard planted in Altamira in 1996 at 1,095 meters above sea level with an old massale selection. It has contained ripeness and 13.7% alcohol from a cooler year in a warmer place. It's a classical Malbec, balanced and elegant but also powerful with fine tannins. It finishes with violets and spice. It's a Malbec with spicy oak. Best after 2022.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 96 Points (2019)
From Paraje Altamira, the 2019 Malbec Nicasia Vineyard was made with grapes from a selected set of rows in Parcel #1 of the Nicasia Vineyard and aged for 24 months in new and second use French barrels. Dense, bright purple in the glass. The fruitiness of the complex, attractive nose is down to the region. The nose delivers a mixture of fresh plum and blackberry with lavender and violet aromas, hints of country herb and notes from the aging process. Broad but delicate in the mouth with good energy. The palate is gently sculpted by chalky tannins made juicy by the freshness. The fruity intensity is enhanced by the texture. A superb Malbec. (JH) (11/2021)

James Suckling (JS) : 95 Points (2019)
Intense nose of blackberries, dark plums, stones, tar, tea leaves and licorice. Full-bodied with firm, focused tannins. Compact and precise. Mineral yet caressing finish. Give this time. A little viognier co-fermented with malbec.

Tim Atkin (TA) : 94 Points (2019)
Inky, profound and effortlessly smooth, with some of the chalky minerality that comes with the territory in Paraje Altamira, the Nicasia Malbec is layered, glossy and very appealing, with sappy graphite and blackberry flavours and some sweet mocha oak.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 93 Points (2019)
Offers an alluring entry of loam, wood spice and fresh thyme, while the palate is fresh and enlivened by mineral acidity. Rich and full, with flavors of mocha-accented blackberry and plum that linger nicely around velvety tannins. Drink now

Wines & Spirits (W&S) : 91 Points (2019)
Catena planted its mass selection at the Nicasia Vineyard in 1996, in the southern reaches of La Consulta, producing a wine that’s welcoming in its restraint. Its saline, cherry-skin flavors slowly cede ground to a richer finish, the flavors trending towards baking spice while the tannins remain fresh.

Catena Zapata Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Catena Zapata Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
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JS
93
RP
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RP
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JS
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WE
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