Catena Zapata Nicolas Catena Zapata 2019
Original price was: $207.53.$186.78Current price is: $186.78.
With its inaugural 1997 vintage, Nicolás Catena Zapata became the first luxury cuvée from Argentina to be exported around the world. The wine recreates the “Original Bordeaux Blend” of the 18th and 19th Centuries, when Malbec dominated over Merlot and was in equal standing to Cabernet Sauvignon in the Médoc.
| Producer |
Catena Zapata |
|---|---|
| Varietal |
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec |
| Vintage |
2019 |
| Size |
750ml |
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Critical Acclaim
James Suckling: 98 points
Robert Parker: 96 points
Vinous: 96 points
The leading house Catena Zapata has been active in Argentinian viticulture for 4 generations. Bodega Catena Zapata was founded by Nicola Catena who left Italy by sailing ship to Argentina in 1898. He eventually ended up in Mendoza and planted his first vineyard here in 1902 with the grape variety Malbec. His son, Domingo, inherited the winery and realized his father's dream of becoming one of the greatest vineyard owners in Mendoza.
In the 1960s, the winery went through a difficult period due to the poor economy and rising inflation. Nicolás Catena, Domingo's son with an economics degree, took over in the mid-1960s and concentrated on expanding distribution in Argentina. He sold the table wine producing winery and kept only Bodegas Esmeralda, the winery of fine wines.
Argentina was known at the time as a bulk wine producing country and Nicolás was therefore considered crazy. But he insisted on looking for the best locations to plant vineyards, including in Gualtallary at high altitudes. In the 1980s he started to plant the grape varieties Chardonnay and Malbec. According to his own vineyard manager, the latter grape would never ripen here, but fortunately for Nicolás he did.
It took him five years before he was completely satisfied with the Malbec grape in the 60-year-old Angélica vineyard for the production of the Catena Malbec in 1994. A little later he started producing the Catena Alta wines, from the best plots. from its vineyards. He also grew many clones of the Malbec and managed to find the most suitable vineyard for each of them.
In the late 90s he started making some top cuvées which he called Catena Zapata (after the name of his mother Angélica Zapata). These wines are produced exclusively in exceptionally good years. Bodega Catena Zapata produces five different lines, mostly from vineyards at an altitude of 900 meters or more: Catena Zapata, Catena Alta, Catena, Alamos and Argento.
Cabernet Franc is a red wine grape variety that is known as the parent grape of Cabernet Sauvignon. The grape is widely grown around the world, but it is particularly associated with the Loire Valley region in France, and the Bordeaux and the right bank of the Gironde.
Cabernet Franc wines are typically medium to full-bodied, with moderate acidity and a moderate level of tannins. The wine has a wide range of flavors that can vary depending on where it's grown, but it's commonly described as having a range of fruit flavors, such as red and black currant, cherry, and plum, with notes of tobacco, spice, and sometimes a hint of bell pepper or herbaceousness. The wines are often aged in oak barrels, which can impart a vanilla and toast flavor to the wine.
Cabernet Franc wines are frequently considered to be more elegant, lighter and more approachable than Cabernet Sauvignon. They can be enjoyed young, but also can benefit from aging, developing complexity and softening the tannins. They can pair well with red meats, particularly beef, as well as hard, strong cheeses.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a red wine grape variety that is widely considered to be one of the finest grape varieties in the world for producing high-quality wines, and is the dominant grape in Bordeaux region. The grapes are small, thick-skinned and yield wine that can be very full-bodied with high tannins. It is known for its intense, complex flavors, including blackcurrant, black cherry, and black olive, with notes of cedar, tobacco, and graphite.
Often aging Cabernet Sauvignon wines in oak barrels will impart a vanilla and toast flavor to the wine. It has a high level of acidity and alcohol, and can be enjoyed well after a decade or more. It pairs well with red meats, particularly beef, as well as hard, strong cheeses.
Malbec is a red wine grape variety that is originally from France. It is now primarily grown in Argentina, where it has become one of the country's most successful and recognizable exports. The grape produces a deep purple wine with dark fruit flavors, such as blackberry and plum, along with notes of spice and tobacco.
Malbec wines tend to be full-bodied with moderate acidity and medium to high tannins. They are often aged in oak barrels to give them a smooth, round texture and subtle vanilla or toast flavors. Malbec pairs well with red meats, particularly beef, and hearty, flavorful cheeses.
