Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard

Catena Zapata Nicasia

Wine Description

The Nicasia vineyard is a small, specially selected number of rows in Lot 1 of the Catena family's Altamira vineyard. Planted in 1996, the Malbec vine are on own roots and part of a massal population from the Catena family's historic, 80 year old Angelica vineyard. Early shoot removal in September and a cluster thinning on December lead to an extremely low yield of 1.2 tons per acre (2.5 tons per hectare). With plantation density of 1,925 plants per acre (4,000 plants per hectare), this translates into a yield of 22 ounces (625 grams) per plant.   

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
“Enormously spicy with a dense tannin structure that makes this Malbec spectacular and slightly erotic, too. A breathtakingly long finish that makes you want more. The balance of this is so good that you can drink it right now and if you can resist it then this probably has a couple of decades of ageing potential.”
— James Suckling, Mar 2018
BEST VALLEY CHOICE: “The Nicasia Vineyard was planted in 1998 in the La Consulta zone at an altitude of 1,300 meters in the Uco Valley. It’s made entirely from whole-cluster grapes to enhance the fruit, plus 7% cabernet franc to boost the acidity and especially the tannins. The ripe fruit flavors are intoxicating, but the intense acidity shifts everything upward to a much fresher place. The fruit is deep and dense, with notes of violets, pencil lead, and black cherries. This wine needs a couple of years in the bottle, although it’s delicious today with charcuterie.”
— Descorchados, Jun 2019
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Vineyard & Production Info
Production area/appellation:
Paraje Altamira
Vineyard name
Nicasia Vineyard, 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
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Winemaking & Aging
Maceration length:
28
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:
24 months
Age of Aging Container:
100% New
Length of bottle aging:
24 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.7
Alcohol:
14 %