Catena Zapata - Nicolas Catena Zapata 2019
Bodega Catena Zapata is one of the main wineries in Mendoza , Argentina . It was founded in 1902, is still owned by the Catena Zapata family and today is managed by Nicolás Catena Zapata . The estate is made up of six vineyards in the sub-regions of Luján de Cuyo, Tupungato and San Carlos de Mendoza, at altitudes ranging from 920 to 1,450 meters above sea level. The winery, with its pyramid-shaped d Maya influence, is located in Agrelo , in Luján de Cuyo . Catena produces a wide range of wines under several different labels. The top range is the Catena Zapata line, which includes four wines from two different vineyards (Nicasia and Adrianna), and Malbec Argentino, which is produced from grapes selected from the best rows of vines in each. The Catena and Catena Alta ranges are more "simple", and offer varietal wines based on Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The Bodega is particularly known for its rich, full-bodied red wines , as well as its barrel-fermented Chardonnay from high-altitude sites, which combine ripeness with fresh acidity.
With its inaugural 1997 vintage, Nicolás Catena Zapata became Argentina's first luxury cuvée to be exported around the world. The wine recreates the “original” Bordeaux blend of the 18th and 19th centuries, when Malbec dominated Merlot and was on par with Cabernet Sauvignon. Pre-phylloxera massal selections of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon from ungrafted vines are used to make this wine. The blend is made up of Cabernet Sauvignon (61%), Malbec (31%) and Cabernet Franc (8%) . Fermentation takes place in 500 liter oak barrels, concrete and stainless steel tanks for approximately 10 to 15 days. The post-fermentation maceration lasts between 5 and 10 days. The wine undergoes its malolactic fermentation and is then aged in French oak barrels for 18 months .
Grapes: 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Malbec, 8% Cabernet Franc