Zapata Cabernet Sauvignon Catena Alta
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5–15 years from vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, roasted leg of lamb, rosemary-infused venison
✨ Technical Specifications
In the early 1990s, Nicolás Catena Zapata set out to prove that Mendoza's high-altitude terroirs could produce world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, defying the local skepticism of the era. The 'Catena Alta' designation, meaning 'High Catena', represents a meticulous selection of historic rows from the family's premier high-altitude estate vineyards, most notably the La Pirámide vineyard in Agrelo. This specific terroir, characterized by clay-rich soils and dramatic diurnal temperature shifts, allows the grapes to ripen slowly while preserving vital acidity. The resulting wine is aged in French oak, yielding a sophisticated profile that beautifully marries ripe dark fruit with savory notes of cedar, tobacco, and eucalyptus, standing as a testament to the family's pioneering vision of Andean viticulture.
🍾 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
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
13.5-14%