Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard

Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard Malbec bottle image

Wine Description

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.

Remington-Mendoza
Laura Catena sits at a table with a glass of wine
Malbec Grapes
Alejandro Vigil (Chief Winemaker) and Laura Catena Tasting
Malbec Clone in La Piramide Vineyard
Nicolás Catena
Bodega Catena Zapata
Bodega Catena Zapata
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Acclaim
Ranked #14 with a score of 97, Bodega Catena Zapata 2006 Nicasia Vineyard Malbec, is impeccably perfumed, round and sweet, with amazing fruit aromas and a toasty background. The feel is as lush and rich as they come, and there's outstanding purity to the lusty black fruit flavors. A masher with elegance. Maybe the best Malbec Argentina has ever produced.
— Wine Enthusiast, Dec 2010
Dense and layered, with loads of braised fig, currant paste, crushed plum and macerated blackberry fruit laced with licorice snap, black tea and spice notes. The long, broad finish has superb acidity buried deep, letting a floral hint skitter in the background. Shows impressive depth and range.
— Wine Spectator, Oct 2009
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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:
.4-.8 tons
Exposure:
Northwestern
Year vineyard planted:
1996
Harvest time:
March-May
First vintage of this wine:
2004
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Winemaking & Aging
Maceration length:
28
Varietal composition:
100% Malbec
Fermentation container:
Open barrels and small tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
12 days
Fermentation temperature:
86 °F
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
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.7
Acidity:
5.7 g/L
Alcohol:
14.8 %