Bodega Catena Zapata : Nicolas 2019

The elegance and complexity of a great Argentine red wine

The estate

In 1902, Nicola Catena founded the Bodega Catena Zapata and planted his first plot of Malbec vines in the exceptional vineyards of Mendoza in Argentina.

This family-owned estate, constantly seeking excellence, experienced a new boom when it was taken over in the 1960s by Nicolás Catena Zapata. Wishing to revolutionise the production methods of Argentinian wines, Nicolás Catena Zapata was inspired by the vinification of Napa Valley wines and revealed new high-altitude terroirs in order to enhance the expression of the grape varieties.

Nicknamed "The Grand Cru of South America", Bodega Catena Zapata is an international reference recognised by critics for the finesse and elegance of its wines.

The vineyard

Nicolas by Bodega Catena Zapata is a Mendoza wine made from a selection of the best vines from two vineyards in the Uco Valley: Adrianna and Nicasia. The Adrianna vineyard, at an altitude of 1,450 metres and covering 15 hectares, is made up of limestone and gravel. The Nicasia vineyard, situated at an altitude of 1095 metres, covers an area of 17 hectares and rests upon gravel and sandy soil.

The wine

Produced since the 1997 vintage, Nicolas de Catena Zapata is the first premium Argentine wine to be exported worldwide. Made from pre-phylloxera massal selections of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, this exceptional wine recreates the "Original Bordeaux Blend" from the 18th and 19th centuries, when the vineyards of the Médoc were predominantly composed of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The vintage

2019 was a year marked by dry weather conditions, which impacted the size of the grapes and yields. A constant breeze protected the vineyards from the risk of frost. The harvest began one to three weeks earlier than in other years and the vineyard is in excellent condition.

Vinification and ageing

The hand-picked grapes are fermented in whole bunches for certain plots in order to develop the tannic structure and preserve the freshness. Fermentation in 500-litre oak barrels, concrete and thermo-regulated steel vats for approximately 10-15 days. Post-fermentation maceration lasts 5 to 10 days. Following malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels.

The blend

Nicolas 2019 by Bodega Catena Zapata comprises a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (42%), Malbec (30%) and Cabernet Franc (28%).