Nicolás Catena Zapata 2016
WINE DESCRIPTION
With its inaugural 1997 vintage, Nicolás Catena Zapata became the first luxury cuvée from Argentina to be exported around the world. The wine recreates the “Original Bordeaux Blend” of the 18th and 19th Centuries, when Malbec dominated over Merlot and was in equal standing to Cabernet Sauvignon in the Médoc. Prephylloxeric Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon massale selections of ungrafted vines give rise to this wine, opening a window to the past from the mountain vineyards of Mendoza, Argentina.
NICOLÁS CATENA ZAPATA CRUS
La Pirámide cru
> Cabernet Sauvignon
> Agrelo
> Clay soil
> 9 Hectares
> Planted in 1982
> Altitude: 950 meters a.s.l
Adrianna cru
> Malbec
> Gualtallary, Uco Valley
> Calcareous soil with gravels
> 7 Hectares
> Planted in 1992
> Altitude: 1450 meters a.s.l
Nicasia cru
> Malbec and Cabernet Franc
> Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley
> Large gravel mixed with sand and loam
> 5 Hectares
> Planted in 1996
> Altitude: 1095 meters a.s.l
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Wine Director: Alejandro Vigil
Winemaker: Fernando Buscema
Varietal: 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Malbec, 8% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 13.60%
Total Acidity: 6.2 grams/liter
pH: 3.58
Unfined and unfiltered
VINIFICATION
The harvest is done by hand, and some parcels are fermented as whole bunches to enhance tannic structure and freshness. The fermentation takes place in 500 liter oak barrels, concrete and stainless-steel tanks, at temperatures of 26-28ºC for about 10-15 days. The post-fermentative maceration lasts between 5 and 10 days. The wine carries out its malolactic fermentation and is then aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.