Catena Zapata
Nicasia Malbec Argentino 2018
| Denomination | N/A |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 14.0% by volume |
| Area | Uco Valley (Argentina) |
| Grape varieties | 90% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot |
| Aging | 12 months in French oak barrels |
- Blend and vintage: 90% Malbec with Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, harvested in 2018
- Aroma and taste: notes of plum and sweet blackberry, fine spices, light oak and vanilla
- Vinification: 18 days maceration, 11 days fermentation at 28°C, malolactic fermentation completed
- Origin and style: still red from Uco Valley, Mendoza, vineyards at 1,230 metres on gravelly soils
- Serving and pairings: decant for 1 hour, serve at 16-18°C; suitable for beef, lamb, game
Description
What kind of wine it is
Nicasia Malbec Argentino by Catena Zapata is a still red wine of great intensity, born from the meeting of Malbec with the character of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. The aromatic profile is well defined, with notes of plum and wild blackberry enriched by the spices typical of the blend. On the palate, it is structured and complex, where the fruity component harmoniously integrates with delicate hints of oak and vanilla. Thanks to its solidity, it pairs perfectly with rich and flavourful dishes: it is ideal with grilled beef, game, and mature cheeses, especially if left to decant for about an hour before tasting.
Where it comes from
This Argentinian red originates in Mendoza, within the renowned Uco Valley. The vineyards are planted on stony soils at an altitude of 1,230 metres, a position that ensures ideal temperature variations for the full ripening of the grapes. The high altitude and the peculiarities of the soil favour excellent fruit concentration and a clear aromatic definition, distinctive features of high-altitude viticulture. This natural habitat enhances the expression of the grape varieties, providing a compact flavour profile and excellent potential for ageing.
How it is produced
The winemaking process involves an eighteen-day maceration on the skins, followed by temperature-controlled fermentation and a complete malolactic fermentation to round out the palate. The wine then matures for twelve months in French oak barrels, an essential step to impart elegance and structure while preserving the freshness of the grapes. This period of rest gives the unfiltered blend remarkable complexity, skilfully balancing intense fruity nuances with the elegant, evolved notes imparted by the wood.
History and Curiosities
The Nicasia Malbec Argentino 2018 embodies the dedication of the Catena Zapata family, pioneers of viticulture in Argentina. Born from vineyards located at 1,230 metres above sea level in the picturesque Uco Valley, this exceptional unfiltered red expresses all the authenticity of Mendoza. Twelve months of ageing in French oak barrels enrich its structure, giving it a captivating aromatic complexity. Awarded 98 points by Robert Parker, it boasts a longevity of 10-15 years.
Awards
-
2018
94/100
Decanter is a wine and lifestyle magazine, published monthly in around 90 countries. The magazine includes industry news, classic guides and advice on wine and spirits.
-
2018
96/100
James Suckling is an influential American wine critic and journalist who worked at Wine Spectator for 30 years. He left the magazine in 2010 to start his own website and guidebook (JamesSuckling.com). He specialises in Italian and Bordeaux wines.
-
2018
98/100
The prestigious international wine guide from the renowned Robert Parker, the world's most experienced and trusted wine taster.
-
2018
96/100
Vinous is the online guide from Antonio Galloni, one of the world's leading wine connoisseurs.
Tasting notes
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
16 - 18 °C
Longevity:
10 - 15 years
Decanting time:
1 hour
Nicolás Catena would never use the word about himself - a less boastful spirit, it’s hard to imagine - but he has been the quiet revolutionary in the Catena family history book. He has charted the family’s path to the new frontier of winemaking, drawing on lessons learned from the land and in the classroom, then applying his education to dare to challenge the conventional wisdom.
Taking the reigns of the family vineyards and wineries in the mid 1960s, he concentrated on expanding distribution throughout Argentina during years of turmoil in the 1970s. But in the early 1980s, Nicolás left Argentina to become a visiting professor of economics at the University of California, on the world-renowned campus at Berkeley. The political and economic situation in Argentina was difficult, with a military government that had just declared war on the United Kingdom and inflation rates of more than 1000 per cent per year.
Nicolás set out to develop his own selection of Argentine Malbec clones planting 145 clones in the La Pirámide vineyard. Of these, he selected the best five and began to plant them in different terroirs and altitudes.
Read more
| Name | Catena Zapata Nicasia Malbec Argentino 2018 |
|---|---|
| Type | Red still |
| Denomination | N/A |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 14.0% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 90% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot |
| Country | Argentina |
| Region | Uco Valley |
| Vendor | Catena Zapata |
| Story | History and Curiosities The Nicasia Malbec Argentino 2018 embodies the dedication of the Catena Zapata family, pioneers of viticulture in Argentina. Born from vineyards located at 1,230 metres above sea level in the picturesque Uco Valley, this exceptional unfiltered red expresses all the authenticity of Mendoza. Twelve months of ageing in French oak barrels enrich its structure, giving it a captivating aromatic complexity. Awarded 98 points by Robert Parker, it boasts a longevity of 10 5 years. |
| Origin | Luján de Cuyo - Mendoza (Argentina) |
| Soil composition | Gravelly soils |
| Fermentation temperature | 28 °C |
| Fermentation | 11 days |
| Production technique | 18-day maceration with fermentation at 28 °C for 11 days, complete malolactic fermentation and ageing for 12 months in French oak barrels |
| Wine making | 18 days of maceration with fermentation at 28 °C for 11 days, complete malolactic fermentation and 12 months ageing in French oak barrels. |
| Aging | 12 months in French oak barrels |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |