Malbec Nicasia
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5–20 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, roasted lamb chops, slow-braised beef short ribs
✨ Technical Specifications
The Nicasia Vineyard Malbec is a profound tribute to Nicasia Catena, the beloved grandmother of Nicolás Catena Zapata, who helped establish the family's winemaking legacy in Mendoza. Situated in the southern reaches of the Uco Valley within the prestigious Paraje Altamira district, this vineyard sits at an extreme altitude of nearly 1,100 meters above sea level. Here, the vines dig deep into very poor, shallow soils composed of large gravels mixed with calcareous limestone. The combination of intense high-altitude sunlight and cool mountain nights slows ripening, allowing the Malbec grapes to develop remarkably thick skins, deep concentration, and vibrant natural acidity. Micro-vinified in French oak barrels and aged meticulously, this single-vineyard bottling is celebrated for its complex aromatic profile of dark berries, violets, and graphite, supported by a finely chiseled, mineral-driven structure that defines the pinnacle of Argentine terroir.
🍾 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%