Nicolás Catena Zapata
⏳ Drinking Window
2024 - 2040
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, roasted leg of lamb, venison stew
✨ Technical Specifications
The 2018 Nicolás Catena Zapata is a masterclass in high-altitude blending, capturing a vintage heralded as one of the finest of the decade in Mendoza due to its cool, dry, and stable growing season. This vintage marries Cabernet Sauvignon from the clay-rich soils of the historic La Pirámide Vineyard with Malbec from the high-altitude, limestone-rich parcels of the Adrianna and Nicasia vineyards. The wine pays homage to the traditional Bordeaux blends of the 19th century, when Malbec played a prominent role alongside Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 18 months in French oak, it delivers immense structure, seamless tannins, and a vibrant, mineral-driven acidity that reflects the extreme mountain 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
Cabernet Sauvignon 65%, Malbec 35%
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
14%