Malbec
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 3–8 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, roasted lamb chops, beef empanadas
✨ Technical Specifications
Catena Zapata's estate Malbec is a landmark wine that redefined global perceptions of Argentine viticulture. Born from the visionary quest of Nicolás Catena to prove that Mendoza could produce world-class wines, this bottling is a masterclass in high-altitude blending. By sourcing fruit from a tapestry of historic family vineyards situated at varying elevations in the Andean foothills—including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley—the winemakers capture a unique synergy of terroirs. The lower-altitude clay soils contribute rich, dark berry flavors and velvety texture, while the extreme heights of the gravel-dominant parcels infuse the wine with vibrant acidity, structural elegance, and intense floral notes of violet. This pioneering approach of blending different altitudes and microclimates has become the defining signature of the estate's classic Malbec, offering a beautifully balanced, expressive, and deeply historic representation of Mendoza.
🍾 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%