Malbec Nicasia Vineyard Consulta
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 8–20 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
grilled ribeye steak, roasted lamb shoulder, venison stew
✨ Technical Specifications
The Nicasia Vineyard, situated in the southern Uco Valley sub-district of La Consulta at an elevation of 1,095 meters, is named in honor of Nicolás Catena Zapata's beloved grandmother. This legendary site is planted with the family's proprietary selection of historic, pre-phylloxera Malbec cuttings, which thrive in the vineyard's poor, gravelly soils. The extreme diurnal temperature variation of La Consulta slows ripening, allowing the grapes to develop thick skins rich in polyphenols. The resulting wine is a masterclass in power and elegance, characterized by intense dark berry fruit, violet aromatics, and a distinct mineral backbone. Fermented in French oak foudres and barrels using native yeasts, and aged for up to 18 months, this single-vineyard bottling represents the pinnacle of high-altitude Argentine Malbec, showcasing exceptional structural complexity and longevity.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena, Bodega Catena Zapata is celebrated as the pioneer that revolutionized modern Argentine winemaking and propelled Malbec onto the international stage. Located in Mendoza, the estate was transformed in the 1980s by third-generation vintner Nicolás Catena Zapata, who boldly advanced high-altitude viticulture along the Andean foothills, highlighted by the iconic Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary. Today, under the stewardship of Nicolás and his daughter Dr. Laura Catena, the winery unites traditional winemaking with groundbreaking soil and climate research via the Catena Institute of Wine. The estate is globally revered for its profound, terroir-driven expressions, exemplified by flagship cuvées such as Nicolás Catena Zapata, Malbec Argentino, and the acclaimed Adrianna Vineyard parcel-specific bottlings.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Malbec
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
13.5-14.5%