Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard

Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard Malbec bottle image

Wine Description

Catena Zapata Nicasia Malbec is made from a meticulous vine selection in the best, historic rows of the Catena family’s estate vineyards. These Zapata vines are carefully hand tended and produce extremely low yields. The grapes are micro-fermented in new French oak barriques and the wine is then aged for 18 months in new French oak. This wine is made in very limited quantities.

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
accordion plus icons
Acclaim
“The 2012 Malbec Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard feels fresher and more harmonious than the 2011, when in reality the vintage character is the opposite. It is sourced from the vineyard that names the wine and that is located in Altamira. The Malbec grapes fermented in open barrels and cement vats with 15% whole-cluster Cabernet Franc. There is one extra level of precision and harmony here. It has an elegant nose and the palate almost reflects the tension in the skin of the grapes with its a velvety texture and great acidity. This is really tasty and long, it could be the best Nicasia ever produced.”
— Wine Advocate, Aug 2015
“Vivd aromas of currants and blackberries. So much dark fruit. Violets too. Full body, yet buttressed with a center palate of salty acidity and firm tannins. From grapes grown in Altamira. Persistent and vibrant.”
— James Suckling, May 2016
View more acclaim Arrow Right
accordion plus icons
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
accordion plus icons
Winemaking & Aging
Maceration length:
26
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
accordion plus icons
Analytical Data
No relevant data were found.