Catena Zapata

Nicasia Vineyard

Catena Zapata

Nicasia Vineyard

The Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard Malbec is one of the three top-tier Malbecs first released by the winery in 2007. The wine exemplifies Nicolas Catena’s success and pioneering research with the Malbec grape in Mendoza. A meticulous vine selection identifies the Zapata vines for this wine. The Nicasia Vineyard, named after Nicolas Catena's grandmother, is a small, specially selected number of rows in Lot 1 of the Catena family’s Altamira Vineyard. Planted in 1996, the Malbec vines are on their own rootstock and part of a massal population from the Catena family’s historic, 80-year-old Angelica vineyard.

Tasting Notes

Opaque purple-colored, it exhibits a complex perfume of pain grille, scorched earth, mineral, licorice, blueberry and black cherry. Thick on the palate, bordering on opulent, it has layers of fruit, silky tannins, and a long, fruit-filled finish. 

Food Pairing

Pairs well with roasted veal, shiitake mushrooms, and beef tenderloin.

The Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard Malbec is one of the three top-tier Malbecs first released by the winery in 2007. The wine exemplifies Nicolas Catena’s success and pioneering research with the Malbec grape in Mendoza. A meticulous vine selection identifies the Zapata vines for this wine. The Nicasia Vineyard, named after Nicolas Catena's grandmother, is a small, specially selected number of rows in Lot 1 of the Catena family’s Altamira Vineyard. Planted in 1996, the Malbec vines are on their own rootstock and part of a massal population from the Catena family’s historic, 80-year-old Angelica vineyard.

Tasting Notes

Opaque purple-colored, it exhibits a complex perfume of pain grille, scorched earth, mineral, licorice, blueberry and black cherry. Thick on the palate, bordering on opulent, it has layers of fruit, silky tannins, and a long, fruit-filled finish. 

Food Pairing

Pairs well with roasted veal, shiitake mushrooms, and beef tenderloin.

Vineyard & Production Info

Vineyard name:
Nicasia Vineyard, Altamira district, Lot 1
Vineyard size:
100 acres
Soil composition:
Sand
Training method:
VSP
Elevation:
3540 feet
Vines/acre:
2220
Yield/acre:
0.8 tons
Exposure:
Northwestern
Year vineyard planted:
1996
Harvest time:
April
First vintage of this wine:
2004

Winemaking & Aging

Maceration length:
28
Varietal composition:
100% Malbec
Fermentation container:
Open barriques and stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
12 days
Fermentation temperature:
86 °F
Maceration technique:
Manual punching down
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Type of aging container:
Barriques
Size of aging container:
225 L
Type of oak:
French oak
Length of aging before bottling:
18 months
Age of Aging Container:
100% new
Length of bottle aging:
24 months

Analytical Data

pH level:
3.7
Acidity:
5.7 g/L
Alcohol:
14.8 %
Residual sugar:
< 2 g/L