“The 2013 Malbec Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard is produced with grapes from the vineyard that names it--a vineyard planted in 1997 in the Altamira zone of Valle de Uco. It's mostly Malbec with some 4% Cabernet Franc, but the two grapes fermented together. It has less Cabernet Franc than other years because 2013 was fresh enough that just that pinch provided enough of the character they are looking for. They call this "the most Malbec of our Malbecs" and it has the textbook aromas of violets and red berries with perfectly integrated oak. The palate is also elegant and fresh and showcases the telltale round tannins of Malbec. This is truly outstanding.”
— Luis Gutierrez, Dec 2016

“The Nicasia Vineyard is located in the Uco Valley in the La Consulta region. The vineyard has 100 acres planted to Malbec which is set on sandy soils at 3500 feet. This wine was aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak prior to bottling and then sat for 24 further months in the bottle. This inky colored wine is rather reticent at first and needs at least a two hour decant to fully evolve. Once aroused the wine reveals aromatics reminiscent of black cherry compote, mocha, creme de cassis, and blueberry pie with a graphite edge. Stunningly smooth and soft on the mid-palate this wine shows off blackberry jam, espresso bean, dark chocolate shavings, and blueberry pie flavors that sit alongside wonderful tension. Electric, and highly gratifying, this rich Malbec will cellar fabulously for the next two decades or more.”
— Washington Wine Blog, Nov 2017