Four generations of the Catena family have farmed the vineyards of Mendoza, ever since Italian founder Nicola Catena planted his first Malbec vines in 1902. Robert Parker's 2005 book about the 100 "Greatest World Wine Estates" featured only one winery from South America: Catena Zapata.
With its inaugural 1997 vintage, Nicolas Catena Zapata became the first luxury cuvee 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 Medoc. Prephylloxeric Malbec and Cabernet massale selections of ungrafted vines give rise to this wine, opening a window to the past from the mountain vineyards of Mendoza, Argentina.
JAMES SUCKLING 98 POINTS - "This has a complex nose of baked blackberries, grilled plums, dried earth, moss, pine cones, sandalwood, charcoal and cloves. It’s medium-bodied with firm, tightly knit tannins. Wow. So much going on. Layered, seamless and silky. Incredible length. Keeps going. 42% cabernet sauvignon, 30% malbec and 28% cabernet franc. Try this from 2024."
WINE ADVOCATE 96 POINTS
JAMES SUCKLING 98 POINTS - "This has a complex nose of baked blackberries, grilled plums, dried earth, moss, pine cones, sandalwood, charcoal and cloves. It’s medium-bodied with firm, tightly knit tannins. Wow. So much going on. Layered, seamless and silky. Incredible length. Keeps going. 42% cabernet sauvignon, 30% malbec and 28% cabernet franc. Try this from 2024."
WINE ADVOCATE 96 POINTS
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