Bodega Catena Zapata - Malbec Nicasia Vineyard 2021

In 1902, Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant, planted his first vineyard in Mendoza, Argentina. The winery has remained under family control — now in its fourth generation — and is one of the few family-owned wine companies in Argentina that remains in Argentine hands.

Dr. Nicolás Catena Zapata revolutionized Argentine wine in the 1980s by exploring extreme high-altitude terroirs in the Andean foothills of Mendoza. He discovered their potential for producing wines—Malbec in particular—that could stand with the best in the world. In the mid-1990s, Nicolás was joined by his daughter, Dr. Laura Catena.

Today, the Catena Family holds more 100-point wine ratings than any other winery in South America and has received numerous “best winery” awards from wine publications worldwide. Catena is certified Sustainable by Bodegas de Argentina and conducts extensive research on soil, terroir, and ancient clones.

Mendoza is Argentina’s largest and most well-known winemaking region. About 80 percent of Argentina’s wine is produced in Mendoza, which contains more vineyard acreage than the regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Napa Valley combined.

Since the 1980s, Mendoza has become a leader in producing outstanding wines, largely thanks to economist and winemaker Nicolás Catena. He spearheaded the push for investment and research to improve Argentine wine quality and helped establish Malbec as Argentina’s signature grape. It was initially used as a blending grape in southwest France and was prominent in Bordeaux blends prior to the nineteenth-century phylloxera epidemic. It was primarily replaced with replantings of Merlot in Bordeaux and found its true home in Mendoza.

10% whole cluster and 90% whole berry fruit is hand-loaded into 225-500 liter new French oak barrels for a 100% barrel fermentation for a period of 15 days, allowing seamless oak integration. The fermentation temperature is kept low, extracting intense aromas, and the cap management is done by hand to ensure soft, gentle flavors and tannin extraction. Wild yeasts. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrel leaves considerable lees and sediment. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months, followed by 24 months of aging in bottle before release.

“A mixture of black and blue fruit, very perfumed and elegant. Cherries, plums and blueberries with a peppery undertone. Crushed violets, too. Bone-dry on the palate with abundant, silky tannins and a juicy, lengthy finish. Drinkable now, but better from 2026.” - 97 Points, James Suckling

“The 2021 Malbec Nicasia Vineyard originates from a small plot nestled within Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley. It was aged up to 16 months in concrete vats and foudres and boasts a deep purple color. The complex nose unveils layers of crushed plums, blueberries, herbs, curry, lavender and graphite. Initially dry and plush, the palate transitions into a taut, chalky, overwhelming, and juicy texture, as if embodying structure and suppleness. This unique and flavorful Malbec offers a high-pitched intensity of flavor that lingers, showcasing a prolonged focus on the fruit.” - 97 Points, Vinous

 Producer: Bodega Catena Zapata

Country: Argentina

Region: Mendoza

Varietal: Malbec

Appellation: Altamira

Vintage: 2021

Size: 750ml