Nicolas Catena Zapata 2020

Nicolas Catena Zapata 2020

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£85.00
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  • Jane Anson rating 97
  • Vinous rating 96
  • The Wine Independent rating 96
  • Robert Parker rating 95
Nicolas Catena Zapata 2020
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HED94703

75 cl

14%
£85.00
Taxes included.

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Starting with its debut vintage in 1997, Nicolás Catena Zapata became the first luxury red wine from Argentina to be distributed globally. The cuvée pays homage to the classic Bordeaux blend of the 18th and 19th centuries, when Malbec held a prominent role, surpassing Merlot and standing on equal footing with Cabernet Sauvignon in the Médoc. The grapes are meticulously hand-harvested, and the fermentation occurs in small oak barrels, concrete, and stainless-steel tanks, maintaining temperatures between 26-28ºC for approximately 10-15 days. Following the primary fermentation, there is an additional maceration period lasting 5 to 10 days. The wine proceeds to undergo malolactic fermentation and is subsequently aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.
97 Jane Anson
Measured and steady release of supple brambled fruits, wonderfully fragrant and well judged, this combines depth of fruit flavour with softly expressed tannins, crayon, truffles, black pepper and smoked oak. Such a distinct and vibrant expression of these Left Bank Bordeaux varieties, givien a ripeness in Argentina that they are not always able to get in France, harnessed by the grace and careful precison of the Catena family. Brilliant vintage of this landmark Argentinian wine. Ungrafted vines, Fernando Buscema winemaker, Alejandro Vigil wine director, 3.64ph.Jane Anson31st August 2023
96 Vinous
The 2020 Nicolás Catena Zapata is a blend composed of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Malbec and 20% Cabernet Franc sourced from Paraje Altamira in the Uco Valley. It was carefully aged for up to 16 months in French oak barrels. Garnet in hue. The nose reveals captivating cassis, rose, blackberry, plum and fig aromas harmoniously combined with dried flowers. The palate presents a dry and ample profile, with fine-grained tannins and a juicy flow that leads to a vibrant mouthfeel, brimming with energy. This meticulously crafted red achieves precise balance in a warm vintage.Joaquin Hidalgo1st September 2023
96 The Wine Independent
A blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 21% Malbec, the 2020 Nicolas Catena Zapata is deep garnet-purple in color. It rolls out with vibrant notes of redcurrant jelly, cassis, and baked plums, leading to hints of crushed rocks, wild sage, and fragrant soil. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing, finely crafted, and elegantly styled, with vibrant black fruit and savory layers and a fine-grained texture, finishing with a real skip in its step.Lisa Perrotti-Brown21st August 2023

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Catena Zapata

Pioneers of Fine Winemaking in Argentina

Over more than a century, the Catenas have evolved into the pre-eminent winemaking family in Argentina. The family’s history in wine goes back to 1902 when Nicola Catena purchased his first Mendoza vineyard. Much more recently, in 1997, his grandson, Nicolás Zapata pioneered the idea of fine wine from Argentina. Inspired by Bordeaux and Napa, he was the first person to ally Old World winemaking sensibilities to the high-altitude vineyards of Mendoza.

Bodega Catena Zapata is now managed by (Dr) Laura Catena, who continues to uphold the the family’s standard of excellence, harnessing the high-altitude terroir of the Andes through precision viticulture and a highly granular cellar regime to produce one of the finest wine portfolios in Argentina.

The flagship wine of the Catena portfolio is the Nicolás Catena Zapata cuvée in which ungrafted Malbec is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon from ‘grand cru’ multiple plots, all processed via 200 micro-vinifications which are then blended together and matured for 24 months in French oak, with a further two years in bottle before release.

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