Bodega Catena Zapata : Nicasia 2022

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Nicasia 2022 from Bodega Catena Zapata

Tasting

Nose

The nose opens with a pronounced floral dimension, between violet and lavender, intermingled with aromas of blackcurrant and intense blue fruits. This first impression is complemented by darker nuances evoking ripe black fruits, a subtle touch of tapenade, as well as notes of vanilla and sweet spices imparted by ageing in French oak.

Palate

The palate is delicate yet juicy, carried by a plush texture and a seamless integration of the oak. The fruit expresses itself with precision, supported by brilliant, finely chiselled tannins that add volume without ever weighing down the whole. The finish lingers at length, leaving a refined and polished impression.

Vinification and ageing

The grapes for this 2022 cuvée are harvested from the Lot 1 plot of the vineyard, then fermented in open wooden vats as well as in small stainless steel tanks, with manual management of extraction. Maceration lasts approximately 26 days, allowing a gradual and controlled extraction of aromas and tannins. Malolactic fermentation is carried out, lending roundness and suppleness to the wine. The wine is then aged in 225-litre French oak barrels, all new, for 18 to 21 months.

A Malbec from Mendoza, an expression of Nicasia's high-altitude terroir at Bodega Catena Zapata

The estate

Bodega Catena Zapata was founded in 1902 by Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant who planted the first Malbec vines in Mendoza, in Argentina. Still family-run, the estate is today led by Laura Catena, Managing Director and founder of the Catena Institute of Wine. Renowned for its work on high-altitude terroirs and the clonal selection of Malbec, the house draws on several historic vineyards, including Nicasia, to produce wines of great precision.

The vineyard

This vineyard is located in Altamira, in the La Consulta district, within the Uco Valley, in Mendoza. Planted in 1996 at an altitude of 1,095 metres, it sits on shallow, silty soils covered with gravel and large stones, overlooking a dry riverbed that ensures excellent drainage. Facing north-west, the site is planted exclusively with the family's own clonal selections, the "Catena cuttings", making it a unique plot in the region.

The vintage

The 2022 vintage stands out for its cool, dry weather conditions, which allowed for slow, even ripening of the grapes. This freshness helped preserve a high natural acidity, while allowing the fruit to reach pronounced concentration and aromatic complexity.

Grape variety

This wine is made from 100% Malbec.