Catena Zapata Argentino Vineyard Malbec 2015
-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Panel
Tasting -
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine -
Suckling
James -
Enthusiast
Wine
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Pairs well with lamb chops, beef tenderloin, and goat cheese.
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
A vineyard selection from old vines, the 2015 Malbec Argentino is all Malbec sourced from the Angelica Vineyard (Lunlunta District) and Nicasia Vineyard (Altamira District) and aged two years in new French oak barrels. This uber-sexy, opulent 2015 offers a rock star bouquet of blueberries, blackcurrants, smoked earth, chocolate, and tobacco leaf, with an almost Graves-like minerality and earthiness that develops with time in the glass. Ripe, full-bodied, and plush on the palate, it nevertheless has density and depth, with notable tannins, moderate acidity, and a great finish. It’s a brilliant wine from this beautiful estate to drink over the coming 10-15 years.
-
Tasting Panel
A gorgeous label featuring a likeness of proprietor Laura Catena is wrapped around this magnificent and masterful wine. Deep, dark, and luscious with ripe and exquisite berry-tinged flavors; elegant, generous, and balanced.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2015 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino blends grapes from Angélica Vineyard in Lunlunta and Nicasia Vineyard in Altamira. It's a classical Malbec that fermented in 225- and 500-liter rolling oak fermentors and matured in French barrique for 18 months. They have changed the image and also the blend for this wine, which is now all from old vines. The label shows the history of Malbec with four relevant women (including Madam Phylloxera!) from the 12th century to the rebirth in the 20th century. This is ripe and heady, very open and expressive, with violets and juicy fruit. This is a new blend to break the tendency of so many single-vineyard bottlings and goes back to the blending traditions of the past. It shows really well—expressive, open and ready. It kept growing and growing in the glass, becoming more focused and even more fresh, at one point getting very close to the freshness of the 2016!
-
Wine Spectator
This is an old-vine wine from malbec, showing blackberries and black olives. Very dense and rich. Yet there is a velvety texture and brightness to the whole thing. Stone undertones, too. A big, energetic and classical malbec.
-
James Suckling
This is an old-vine wine from Malbec that shows blackberries and black olives. Very dense and rich yet there is a velvety texture and a brightness to the whole thing. Stone undertone. Big yet energetic classical Malbec.
-
Wine Enthusiast
A black-fruit aroma melds with notes of campfire, chocolate, vanilla and oyster shell. In the mouth, this is decidedly creamy and weighty. A fully oaked flavor profile revolves around milk chocolate and vanilla, while this Malbec is soft on the finish due to light acidity and mild tannins. Drink through 2024. MundoVino Winebow.
Other Vintages
2021-
Suckling
James
-
Suckling
James -
Spirits
Wine &
-
Suckling
James -
Wong
Wilfred -
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spirits
Wine & -
Spectator
Wine
-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James
-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Spirits
Wine & -
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine -
Enthusiast
Wine
- Decanter
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spirits
Wine &
-
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine -
Spirits
Wine &
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine -
Spirits
Wine &
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine -
Spirits
Wine &
-
Parker
Robert
Bodega Catena Zapata is one of Argentina's high altitude Malbec pioneers. The Catena family began making wine in Mendoza in 1902. Nicolas Catena, third generation family vintner, was one of the first to see the potential of Mendoza's mountain vineyards for producing high quality Malbec. In 1994, he became the first Argentine to exprot a world-class bottling of Malbec under the Catena label. Nicolas is joined by his daughter, Dr. Laura Catena, in their relentless pursuit of world-class quality from the family's high altitude vineyards. Laura has done extensive work in introducing Malbec and other varietal plant selections, soil and climate analysis, and sustainable practices throughout Mendoza. Head winemaker, Alejandro Vigil, has been at Catena Zapata since 2002 and works with Laura and Nicolas to make wines that express the family's vineyards and palate.
Celebrated for its bold flavors and supple texture, Malbec has enjoyed runaway success in Argentina since the late 20th century. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, where it historically contributed color and tannin to blends. A French agronomist, who saw great potential for the variety in Mendoza’s hot, high-altitude landscape, brought Malbec to Argentina in 1868. Somm Secret—If you’re trying to please a crowd, Malbec is generally a safe bet with its combination of dense fruit and soft tannins.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.