Nicolas Catena Zapata Blend 2020

Description Score: 97 pts Decanter | 96 pts Robert Parker | 98 pts James Suckling Catena Zapata Red Blend is a benchmark Argentine wine that reflects the legacy and vision of one of the country’s most influential wine families. Crafted from high-altitude vineyards in the Uco Valley, this blend represents Catena Zapata’s relentless pursuit of quality and terroir expression, combining elegance, structure, and remarkable aging potential. Founded in 1902, Catena Zapata is a historic family-owned winery now led by third- and fourth-generation vintners Nicolás Catena Zapata and his daughter Laura Catena. Nicolás Catena Zapata is widely recognized as the pioneer who transformed Argentine wine in the 1980s by focusing uncompromisingly on quality, planting vineyards at extreme altitudes of up to 1,500 meters, and spearheading the global revival of Malbec—a French variety nearly forgotten elsewhere in the world. Over the years, Catena Zapata has earned numerous international distinctions, including Decanter Man of the Year, The Wine Spectator Distinguished Service Award, and Winery of the Year honors from leading wine publications worldwide. Winemaking The grapes are hand-harvested and fermented in a combination of small oak barrels, concrete vats, and stainless-steel tanks. Fermentation takes place at controlled temperatures between 26–28°C over a period of 10 to 15 days, followed by 5 to 10 days of post-fermentation maceration. The wine undergoes complete malolactic fermentation and is then aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. At the end of winter, Dr. Nicolás Catena Zapata personally supervises the final blend prior to bottling. Technical Sheet Winery: Catena Zapata Type: Red Wine Varietal: Blend Grape Composition: 42% Cabernet Sauvignon – 30% Malbec – 28% Cabernet Franc Aging: 18 months in French oak barrels Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil Region: Gualtallary (1,450 m a.s.l.) and Paraje Altamira (1,095 m a.s.l.), Uco Valley, Mendoza Organic: No Country: Argentina Presentation: 750 ml bottle Score: 97 Decanter | 96 Robert Parker | 98 James Suckling