2007 Nicolas Catena Zapata
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Tasting notes
(14% alcohol; 5.8 g/l acidity; 3.72 pH): Full red-ruby. Very tight aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, licorice, pepper and herbs. Rather tight and uncompromising, even a touch reduced, offering good intensity and structure but less fruit sweetness and flavor than most vintages of this wine. The firm, dusty tannins show a dry edge. Will this clenched wine blossom in bottle? Time in the glass brought more texture and sweetness and a captivating violet quality. This early harvest was reportedly favorable for cool vineyards like Adrianna and Nicasia, fruit from both of which are in this blend.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(70% cabernet sauvignon, 20% malbec, the rest petit verdot and cabernet franc) Saturated ruby. Extremely backward nose offers cassis, licorice and caraway seed. Big, rich, sweet and pliant but with strong underlying structure from the cabernet. Less exotic than the Argentino and more vibrant today but less obviously creamy-sweet and in need of some bottle aging. In fact, this is downright youthful. Finishes with palate-saturating flavor and firm, slightly medicinal tannins. This cabernet-based blend may be a better bet than the Argentino for those who prefer more classical wines. .
The flagship, the 2007 Nicolas Catena Zapata, a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It delivers an enthralling aromatic array of pain grille, pencil lead, mineral, espresso, mocha, incense, lavender, black currant, black cherry, and blackberry. This leads to a full-bodied, powerful yet elegant effort with great depth and volume, precision balance, and a voluptuous personality (a D-cup of a wine). It conceals plenty of structure and will effortlessly evolve for 6-8 years, drinking well through 2032 if not longer. Catena Zapata’s newest releases continue the high standards established by this Bodega virtually from its onset, a tribute to Nicolas Catena who continues to oversee his empire. Importer: Winebow, Inc., Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620
The flagship, the 2007 Nicolas Catena Zapata, a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It delivers an enthralling aromatic array of pain grille, pencil lead, mineral, espresso, mocha, incense, lavender, black currant, black cherry, and blackberry. This leads to a full-bodied, powerful yet elegant effort with great depth and volume, precision balance, and a voluptuous personality (a D-cup of a wine). It conceals plenty of structure and will effortlessly evolve for 6-8 years, drinking well through 2032 if not longer. Dec 2010, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Bodega Catena Zapata has been instrumental both in the development of fine wine production in Argentina and in realising the full potential of the Malbec grape.