Nicolás Catena Zapata 2021

Producer

Catena Zapata

Wine

Nicolás Catena Zapata

Vintage

2021

Country

Argentina

Region

Mendoza

Subregion

Not specified

Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec

Format

750 ml

Character

Vibrant, complex and still remarkably young, with ripe Cabernet character, a wild edge and beautifully integrated oak.

TCJ assessment

A vibrant and complex wine that remains at an early stage of its development. The Cabernet character is ripe and expressive, but there is also a distinctly wild quality running through the wine, giving it personality beyond simple concentration and fruit.

Nicolás Catena Zapata was conceived as a homage to the Cabernet-based blends of pre-phylloxera Bordeaux, before Malbec largely disappeared from the region following the phylloxera crisis. That historical reference gives additional context to the combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec at the heart of the wine.

The palate combines depth with energy. Oak is present but very well judged, adding structure and complexity without obscuring the fruit. Already complex and expressive, but still young, it should gain considerably from further bottle age as the fruit, structure and oak become more integrated.