Zapata Malbec Argentino 2021

CATENA

Zapata Malbec Argentino
2021

  • Vegan

$331.54*

* Suggested retail price

Out of stock

Product code
249122
Format
1 x 1500ml
Listing type
Speculative
Status
Store Only
Type of product
Still wine
Country
Argentina
Regulated designation
Geographical Indication (GI)
Region
Mendoza
Varietal(s)
Malbec 100 %
Colour
Red
Closure type
Cork
Producer's website

About this winery

At heart, Catena is a story about family. Family who poured their lives, passion and spirit into transforming scrub-laden desert into some of the most beautiful and unique vineyards in the world. Family that passed their knowledge from generation to generation, blending collective memory with state-of-the-art science from the new world of viticulture. Family who, through risk-taking, faith and a little luck, transformed their treasured Mendoza terroir into the fountainhead of the award-winning...

See the CATENA detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

The epic tale of the noble Malbec grape is like no other, and the label for Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino pays tribute to the variety’s history in France and its rise in Argentina. Four female figures embody different landmarks in the history of the grape. Eleanor of Aquitaine represents the birth of Malbec. She is a strong, Old World presence, lingering at the bridge in Cahors, where Malbec came into its own. Next, the Immigrant symbolizes the movement to the New World and the unknown explorers and adventurers who connected Europe with the Americas. Phylloxera personifies the death of Malbec in the Old World, which enabled its rebirth in the new. Finally, there is Bodega Catena Zapata, represented by Adrianna Catena, who depicts birth, earth, and motherhood, sharing the riches of the New World. Today, the Catena family’s fourth generation leads the high-altitude renaissance in Argentina. We are returning Malbec to the sky... where it belongs.

Production notes

20% whole cluster and 80% whole berry fruit is hand-loaded into 225-500 liter new French oak barrels for a 100% barrel fermentation for a period of 28 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.

Press reviews

Wine Advocate

- 96 points -

November 2022 (Vintage 2021)

The very young but already harmonious 2021 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino has one of the showier labels from the Catena portfolio. 2021 was a cooler year, as cold as 2016, but instead of a wet year like 2016, it was dry. The wine is juicy and reveals a vibrant palate and very clean and focused aromas and flavors. It's clean and precise with varietal aromas of violets, ripe berries and herbs and a spicy touch from the élevage in oak. It's another great vintage for this blend of grapes from the vineyards of Angélica (Lunlunta) and Nicasia (Altamira). It's nicely textured and tasty, medium to full-bodied and with a vibrant finish.

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James Suckling

- 96 points -

March 2023 (Vintage 2021)

A really well-balanced malbec here that is slightly spicier and richer. Black cherries, dark olives and some violets. Fleshy and almost full-bodied on the palate with juicy, naturally rendered fruit and very fine-grained tannins. Balance is the word.

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Tim Atkin MW

- 94 points -

June 2023 (Vintage 2021)

Argentino is a 50/50 blend of Malbecs from the Angélica Vineyard in Lunlunta and the Nicasia Vineyard in Paraje Altamira. Fermented with 45% whole bunches, it’s smooth, supple and well-appointed, showing bramble, raspberry and mulberry flavours, understated oak spices and supple, caressing tannins.

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