Zapata Malbec Argentino
2008
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...
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In general terms, 2007 showed excellent levels of quality and concentration. The growing season was characterized by warmer than usual daytime temperatures with colder nighttime lows. 2007 also presented a higher than normal amount of both general precipitation and violent hail storms. In sandy/rocky soil areas of the Uco Valley, sanitary conditions, aromas and tannin development were absolutely extraordinary. The harvest was earlier than usual by between 14-30, days, depending on the area.
VINEYARDS:
Adrianna Vineyard, Gualtallary district 5,000’ elevation
Nicasia Vineyard, Altamira district 3,870’ elevation
De-stemmed, whole berry fruit is hand loaded into 225, 400 and 600 liter new French oak barrels; 100% barrel fermented for seamless oak integration; low fermentation temperatures extract intense aromas; all cap management done by hand for soft, gentle flavor and tannin extraction; alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrel leaves considerable lees and sediment.
Saturated dark violet color; intense nose of cassis, mocha and clove, along with a strong suggestion of soil tones. Combination of density and sweetness on the one hand, with gripping, lightly saline flavors of dark berries, tobacco, spices and minerals; a palate-staining finish dominated by sweet black and blue fruits.
Perfumed and seductive nose of purple plums, blueberries, dried roses, violets, lemon zest, chocolate, truffles and cigar box. It’s full-bodied, yet so elegant and weightless. Seamless, finely knit tannins. Beautiful, lengthy finish.
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The 2008 Argentino Malbec is a blend of 65% Adrianna and 35% Nicasia fruit. It, too, spent 24 months in 100% new French oak. The Argentino offers a similar aromatic and flavor profile but with just a bit of extra nuance, presumably because of the blending. Dense, rich, and voluptuous, this lengthy effort should easily achieve its 20th birthday in peak form. It will be most enjoyable to taste these three wines side-by-side in another 10-15 years.
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Lots of blackberry and blueberry aromas with licorice, too. Extremely aromatic. Full-bodied, layered and deep. Superb richness and balance, at the same time. Really great. Drink or hold.
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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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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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The 2020 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino follows the path of the 2019, harvested early and fermented with 100% full clusters in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and matured in oak vats and some barrels for 12 to 18 months. It's juicy, powerful and with abundant tannins and a slight earthiness. It's a little more voluptuous and mixes grapes from Angélica (Lunlunta) and some from Nicasia (Altamira). 45,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2021.
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This Malbec has a good balance of fruit and herbs with a delicate structure. The nose displays notes of berries and aromatic herbs that repeat on the palate. A smooth texture and lively acidity hold raspberry, blackberry and blueberry flavors with hints of smoke. It has an elegant finish with subtle notes of chocolate.
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Argentino combines raw material from two sources - the Angélica Vineyard in Lunlunta and the Nicasia Vineyard in Paraje Altamira. It’s a seamlessly blended cuvée, all bramble, summer pudding and blackberry flavours, with a sheen of one-third new wood and the concentration and density to age further in bottle
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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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