One of the great producers of Malbec and Chardonnay in the world, the tale of Bodega Catena Zapata starts with the long journey of Nicola Catena who sailed from Italy to Argentina in 1898. Nicola is known for planting his first Malbec vineyard back in 1902. Malbec had previously been a blending grape in Bordeaux and Nicola and he saw its potential in high-elevation Mendoza.
It was in the 1960s when Nicola’s grandson, Nicolas, took over the winery but was faced with inflation and political turmoil in Argentina, so he took a job as a visiting economics professor at UC Berkeley. He then came back to Argentina and wanted to focus on the winery, deciding to plant Chardonnay and Malbec at a 5,000 feet elevation. This was an unusual vineyard practice at the time but the risk paid off. Over time Nicolas was crafting incredible wines from these vines that became blind tasted ahead of epic wine projects like Chateau Latour and Opus One.
In 2001 Nicolas' daughter Dr. Laura Catena took over the Research & Development program at Bodega Catena Zapata. An Emergency Room physician, with degrees from Harvard and Stanford, Dr. Laura Catena brought a very strong science background to the family winery's R&D project. She immediately set about working with the high altitude Malbec that her father had planted and has achieved incredible success at the winery since taking over. I have met Dr. Catena many times and she is an incredible person who has done wonders for her brand. Tasting these wines over twenty plus years, I have been so impressed with the consistency. At the helm is the Malbec Magician, Alexander Vigil. Vigil came to Bodega Catena Zapata in 2002 as head of Research & Development. In 2003 he joined the enology department and he has served as winemaker for many years now.
The new wines by Catena are incredible across the board. Look to their sensational 2021 Bodega Catena Zapata ‘White Bones’ Chardonnay (OB, 97). This is world-class Chardonnay personified. I am enamored by the new 2020 Catena ‘Nicolas Catena Zapata’ Red Wine (OB, 97) which has some massive cellaring potential and is another stunning edition of this benchmark red blend. Savor this now and over twenty years. Learn more about these wonderful wines at http://www.catenawines.com Here are the gorgeous new releases from Catena
2022 Bodega Catena Zapata ‘Alta Historic Rows’ Chardonnay- The 2022 Catena ‘Alta Historic Rows’ was stored for q2 months in a third new 500-liter barrels prior to bottling. Golden in the glass, this delivers plenty of viscosity and verve with toasty brioche notes and lemon cream on the palate, alongside freshly cut peaches. Full-bodied and showing good length, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 93
2021 Bodega Catena Zapata ‘White Bones Adrianna Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2021 Catena ‘White Bones Adrianna Vineyard’ Chardonnay is another sensational release by winemaker Alexander Vigil. This incredible site in the ‘Adrianna Vineyard’ has many limestone deposits and fossilized animal bones.This is very Chablis meets Argentina with crushed oyster shell and lemon oil alongside kumquat rind and suggestions of bright Bosc pear. The palate is soft and refined with a silky texture and a downright unctuous sense of texture. A total stunner, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2024-2036- 97
2020 Bodega Catena Zapata ‘Nicolas Catena Zapata’ Red Wine- One of the iconic wines from Argentina, the 2020 ‘Nicolas Catena Zapata’ has considerably more Cabernet Sauvignon (54%) than the previous vintage, with Malbec (21%) and the remainder Cabernet Franc (25%). Anise, tar, blackberry compote and huckleberry with dark chocolate shavings all mark the nose. The palate is beautifully structured and complex, showing violets alongside a gorgeous melange of black and blue fruits. Soft, refined and well-structured, with firm tannins, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next twenty years. Drink 2024-2044- 97
2020 Bodega Catena Zapata ‘Nicasia Vineyard’ Malbec- The ‘Nicasia Vineyard is set In La Consulta, due south from the Uco Valley, as this location is need after Nicolas Catina’s grandmother and has vines that are up to 90 years of age. Very brooding in the glass, the 2020 ‘Nicasia Vineyard’ offers hedonistic blueberry compote, Turkish coffee, pencil lead and sandalwood tones on the palate, with salty and stony undercurrents. Complex and rich, with serious nuance, this has some beautiful aging potential considering its poise and weight. Drink 2024-2039- 97
2021 Bodega Catena Zapata ‘Argentino’ Malbec- The monumental 2021 ‘Argentino’ was sourced from some vines that are more than 100 years of age. Utilizing 20% whole cluster fermentation, the wine was stored in small and large format French oak barrels before bottling. This quite literally bursts out of the glass with flavor. Anise, dark currant cordial, violets, blackberry pie and shades of Black Forest cake all brilliantly combine on the palate, with stony undertones. Complex, nuanced and extremely delicious, this beauty will cellar well for another twenty years. Drink 2024-2043- 97