The Catena Zapata icons begin with the 2008 Nicasia Vineyard Malbec, which spent 18 months in 100% new French barriques. A glass-coating opaque purple/black, it offers up a super-fragrant nose of toasty new oak, earth notes, exotic spices, black cherry and black raspberry. This is followed by a plush, layered, intensely flavored, rich wine with potential complexity, precision, balance, and a seamless finish. Give it 4-6 years of cellaring and drink it through 2028.
— Jay Miller, Dec 2011

Bright ruby-red. Pungent, high-pitched blackberry, black cherry and mineral aromas complicated by notes of peach, citrus peel and flowers. Penetrating and sweet, with compelling inner-mouth aromatic character and lively harmonious acidity. For all its richness, this malbec is remarkably light on its feet, thanks to the strong calcaire influence. Finishes with noble, tooth-dusting tannins and outstanding lingering perfume.
— International Wine Cellar, Mar 2012