Catena Zapata

Nicasia Vineyard

Nicolás Catena’s dream was to make Argentine wines that could stand with the best in the world. He knew he needed to grow fruit of unprecedented quality, with a level of concentration, complexity, and balance never before seen in Argentina. Once each specific lot was identified and its potential revealed through row-by-row micro-vinification, Nicolás developed a plant-by-plant selection through which he could further enhance the characteristics of each lot. Today, the Zapata vines are specifically marked and meticulously cared for.

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Tasting Notes

Ripe black and red currants, raspberries, and an elegant touch of French oak. Very complex and expressive palate, with a creamy violet flavor and notes of ripe blueberries, cassis, vanilla, and spice cake.

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Tasting Notes

Brand Materials

Tech Sheet Bottle Shot Acclaim

POINTS

This is concentrated, with dense dark fruit. The nose shows blue fruit, tar and tapenade. The palate is juicy and medium- to full-bodied, with delineated concentration, dark fruit flavors and voluminous presence balanced by precise tannins.

James Suckling

POINTS

Nicasia is the Catenas’ most famous vineyard in Paraje Altamira, planted back in 1996 on loam and calcium carbonate soils. Matured in foudres and cement, Ale Vigil’s vessels of choice these days, it has typically glossy tannins, an undertone of limestone freshness, sweet bramble, fig and blackberry fruit and top notes of ginger, cinnamon and chocolate, despite the apparent absence of smaller oak barrels.

Vineyard & Production Info

Vineyard name:

Nicasia Vineyard, Altamira en La Consulta, Lot 1

Vineyard size:

100 acres

Soil composition:

Sand

Training method:

VSP

Elevation:

3,593 feet

Vines/acre:

2200

Yield/acre:

1.2 tons

Exposure:

Northwestern

Year vineyard planted:

1996

Harvest time:

April

First vintage of this wine:

2004

Winemaking & Aging

Maceration length:

Varietal composition:

100% Malbec

Fermentation container:

Vertical open Barriques & small stainless steel tanks

Length of alcoholic fermentation:

17 days

Fermentation temperature:

77 - 86 °F

Maceration technique:

Manual punch 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:

3.6

Acidity:

6.3 g/L

Alcohol:

13.6 %

Residual sugar:

<1.8 g/L

About the Vineyard

Planted in the early 1990s, this vineyard is named after Laura Catena's great-grandmother, Nicasia. The Malbec's soft and smooth tannins and generous aromas remind Laura of Nicasia, who was all love and hugs, and knitted clothes for Laura's dolls. Nicasia was the most loving person that Laura has ever known.

Located in the far southerly growing region of Altamira at La Consulta, the Nicasia Vineyard is the only planting of the special Catena Selection of Malbec cuttings in this traditional area for Malbec. Here, the shallow loamy topsoil with surface gravelly and dry river bed subsoil provides optimal drainage. La Consulta was Nicolás Catena's father Domingo's preferred Malbec location.

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