Bodega Catena Zapata : Nicolas 2022

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Nicolás 2022 from Bodega Catena Zapata

Tasting

Nose

The nose reveals classic aromas of tobacco, espresso, and graphite, enhanced by deep notes of black fruit.

Palate

Full-bodied and generous, the palate charms with its indulgent, silky character. The finish is refreshing, elegantly reflecting the terroir of the Uco Valley.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with grilled, roasted, or braised red meats. It also matches well with slow-cooked dishes in sauce or a roast duck.

Serving and cellaring

The Nicolás Catena Zapata 2022 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. This wine has cellaring potential through around 2042.

An exceptional blend from the Uco Valley in Mendoza

The estate

Founded in 1902 by Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant, Bodega Catena Zapata remains one of the rare Argentine family-owned wine estates. Today led by Laura Catena, fourth generation, alongside her father Nicolás Catena, regarded as the greatest winegrower in Argentina, the bodega farms six vineyards within the Mendoza appellation. The estate stands out in particular for its Adrianna vineyard, situated between 1,400 and 1,500 meters above sea level, nicknamed the “Grand Cru of South America.” A pioneer in the revival of Argentine malbec and recognized for its scientific approach to high-altitude terroirs through the Catena Institute of Wine, the estate has revolutionized Argentine viticulture since the 1980s.

The vineyard

The Nicolás Catena Zapata 2022 comes from two exceptional vineyards located in the Uco Valley, in Mendoza. The Adrianna cru reaches 1,450 meters above sea level, while the Nicasia cru sits at 1,095 meters. The vines, farmed from massal selections and own-rooted, thrive on silty-clay soils that give the wine its structure and complexity.

The vintage

The 2022 vintage is described by winemaker Alejandro Vigil as “the best year I have experienced,” reflecting exceptional weather conditions that allowed for optimal grape ripening.

Vinification and aging

The Nicolás Catena Zapata 2022 is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, allowing the wine to develop aromatic complexity while preserving fruit expression and the elegance of its high-altitude terroir.

Grape varieties

46% cabernet sauvignon, 44% malbec and 10% cabernet franc make up this blend, which recreates the “Original Bordeaux Blend” of the 18th and 19th centuries, from pre-phylloxera massal selections.