2020 Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard Malbec

Nicola Catena planted his first Malbec vineyard in Mendoza in 1902 and today the estate is run by Nicholás Catena and his daughter Laura. Malbec continues to be the estate's focus and the winery's pristine vineyards lie at the base of the Andes on soils of sand, lime and stone at altitudes between 920 and 1120 metres above sea level. Over the last 20 years, the fastidious vineyard work of Nicholas and Laura has paid dividends and Catena Zapata is now one of Argentina's most famous estates.

Dense midnight black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. A kaleidoscope of ripe red currant, red to dark cherry, violet, red liquorice and blueberry aromas infused with fresh herbs sail out of the glass. Also evident are delicate vanillin cedar, earth and spice notes. Rich yet refined in nature, the medium bodied palate is extolled with gorgeous red to dark cherry, red currant, red liquorice and blueberry fruits. Adding further complexity are notions of dried herbs, infusions of violets, vanillin cedar, delicate earth and spicy tobacco. Fresh and polished in its feel it’s beautifully sculptured by fine grained yet sturdily built tannins. Superb power, the lengthy finish all finesse and class.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews….
A mixture of black and blue fruit, very perfumed and elegant. Cherries, plums and blueberries with a peppery undertone. Crushed violets, too. Bone-dry on the palate with abundant, silky tannins and a juicy, lengthy finish. Drinkable now, but better from 2026.
97 points
JamesSuckling.com

The 2020 Malbec Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard was fermented in barrels, 10% with stems and finished in used foudres. Purple in color. The nose offers notes of violet, lavender, plum and hints of sour cherry followed by aromas from the aging process which enhance the next wave of mint and orange peel. Fluid with gentle, well-polished tannins and a delicate expression, the flow is juicy and expansive before the languorous finish. A well-made wine for 2020. Drink 2022-2035.
96 points
Joaquín Hidalgo – Vinous

The juicy and peachy 2020 Malbec Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard in Paraje Altamira is the result of a warm year in a warmish place, but the wine shows no excess and comes through as balanced, slightly riper and rounder than the 2019 I tasted next to it but keeping the poise and elegance. It has a medium to full-bodied palate with juicy and abundant tannins. Drink 2024-2030.
96 points
Luis Gutiérrez – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate