2012 Nicolas Catena Zapata

Bright dark ruby. Urgent aromas of crushed blackberry and violet. Boasts outstanding concentration and density without any impression of heaviness, with its creaminess perfectly buffered by harmonious acidity. This is richer, deeper and more pliant than the Malbec Argentino--and easier to taste today--but dry, minerally and classic. Finishes with firm but pliant tannins and outstanding persistence. One could almost drink this wine with food today. Incidentally, Alejandro Vigil likes this vintage and the 2006 best for this bottling. This wine is roughly 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Malbec, but also contains a bit of Cabernet Franc.

The notes of leather and Chinese ink are less prominent and more subtle in the 2012 Nicolás Catena Zapata than in the 2011, but are still there. This is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Malbec, but in this case the majority of grapes come from Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary and the rest are from Altamira in the Valle de Uco. There is more freshness and perhaps a lighter body that adds elegance. The palate is dry, with fine, dusty tannins and it is quite dry in the finish. 55,000 bottles produced.