Today we share the brilliant wines of Bodega Catena Zapata. It all began 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.
Later in the1960s 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. She is such an inspiring woman in wine. 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 2022 Bodega Catena Zapata ‘White Stones’ Chardonnay (OB, 97). This is amongst the finest new world Chardonnay that you will taste. Learn more about these wonderful wines at http://www.catenawines.com Here are the gorgeous new releases from Catena
2023 Bodega Catena Zapata ‘Alta Historic Rows’ Chardonnay- The 2023 Catena ‘Alta Historic Rows’ was stored in third new 500-liter barrels prior to bottling. This is seamless and rich stuff with cashew nut and salted peach flavors that connect well with the fabulous viscosity and tension. Dense and delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 94
2022 Bodega Catena Zapata ‘White Stones Adrianna Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2022 Catena ‘White Stones Adrianna Vineyard’ Chardonnay is a stunning wine from this location that is set at nearly 5,000 feet. Vines for this wine are planted on gravely soils. Brightly colored in the glass, this delivers freshly cut limes and toasted hazelnuts alongside Japanese pear and brioche on the nose. The palate is dense and nervy, with a Chablis-like minerality and stony edge. A totally head-turning wine, enjoy this beauty over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2037- 97
2020 Bodega Catena Zapata ‘Nicasia Vineyard’ Malbec- The famed ‘Nicasia Vineyard iocated 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. This is dense and intense in the glass, offering sandalwood notes alongside creme de violette, tar, tobacco leaf, violets and shades of espresso bean on the nose. The palate is nervy, rich and viscous, with tremendous power and intensity. A totally stunning wine, enjoy now and over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2025-2045- 98
2021 Bodega Catena Zapata ‘Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae’ Malbec- The stunning 2021 Bodega Catena Zapata ‘Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae’ Malbec is sourced from vines set on calcareous and silty-loam soils. Stored for 24 months in neutral oak barriques, this delivers heady black fruits that collide with scorched earth, wet soils, white pepper dusted chocolate and shades of marionberry compote on the palate. A totally gorgeous bottling, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2042- 97
2022 Bodega Catena Zapata ‘Argentino’ Malbec- A world-class wine, the 2022 ‘Argentino’ comes from vines that are more than 100 years of age. Given roughly 20% whole cluster ferentation, vines from this wine are set on a range of soils including sand, gravel, stones and clay-loam. Stored in a combination of small and large format French oak barrels this delivers flavors of mocha, tar, anise and wild huckleberry that meld well with its rich, voluptuous texture and bright, underlying acidity. Drink 2025-2045- 98