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WINES OF ARGENTINA

16

Catena Malbec Argentino

This wine represents more than a single vintage. It reflects a family’s century-long journey to produce an

Argentine Malbec that can stand with the great wines of the world. Malbec Argentino is a blend of Catena

Zapata’s historic Malbec vineyards, Adrianna and Nicasia. This wine is made from a meticulous vine

selection within the best, historic rows of these family estate vineyards. Zapata vines are carefully hand-

tended and produce extremely low yields. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for twenty-four months.

The Adrianna Malbec component is co-fermented with Viognier and the Nicasia Malbec component is

co-fermented with Cabernet Franc. Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino shows a saturated dark violet color.

The nose offers cassis, mocha, and clove. It combines density and sweetness with the gripping clean

flavors of tobacco, dark berries, spice, and mineral. The palate-staining finish is dominated by sweet black

fruit and blueberries.

2012:

98 JS |

2011:

95 WA |

2010:

95 IWR |

2009:

95 WA |

2008:

97 WA |

2007:

97 WA |

2006:

96 WA |

2005:

97+ WA

Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae Malbec

Named after Nicolás Catena Zapata’s youngest daughter, the Adrianna Vineyard is located at 4,757 feet

elevation in the Tupungato region. The soils in this 1.4 hectare parcel are filled with scattered limestone

and marine deposits that covered the region millions of years ago. The limestone layers are well-drained

and particularly rich in rhizobacteria, the microorganisms help vine roots withstand stress and absorb

nutrients. Thus, the name “mundus bacillus terrae” or “elegant bacteria of the earth.” The wine is aged in

French oak barrels for eighteen to twenty-four months followed by twenty-four months of aging in the

bottle before release. Barrel age varies depending on vineyard row soil. This wine defines high-altitude

Malbec, with exceptional concentration and structure that will last for at least twenty to thirty years.

Catena Zapata Adrianna Mundus Bacillus Terrae Malbec is violet with deep black tones in color. It offers

aromas of ripe red fruits, lavender, violets, and tobacco. The wine is powerful and dense, with a grip and

flavors of cassis, dark chocolate, and minerals. Remarkable concentration and well-structured tannins lead

to a long, lengthy finish.

2013:

96 TA, 94+ V |

2012:

98 JS

Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard Malbec

Located in the far southerly growing region of Altamira in La Consulta at 3,593 feet, the Nicasia vineyard

is the only planting of the special Catena Selection of Malbec cuttings in this traditional area for Malbec.

La Consulta was Nicolás Catena’s father Domingo’s preferred Malbec location. Catena Zapata Nicasia

Vineyard Malbec is made from a meticulous vine selection in the best, historic rows of the wine’s

namesake vineyard, named for Nicolás Catena Zapata’s grandmother. The Zapata vines are carefully

hand-tended and produce extremely low yields. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for eighteen

months, followed by twenty-four months of aging in bottle before release. Catena Zapata Nicasia is a

dark red violet Malbec. Ripe black fruits, sweet spice and thyme aromas are present. This wine has a very

complex and expressive palate with lovely violet flavors, dark berries, licorice, bitter chocolate, and spice

cake flavors.

2012:

95 WA |

2011:

96 V |

2010:

95 IWR |

2009:

95+ V |

2008:

95 WA |

2007:

96 WS |

2006:

97 WE |

2005:

96 WA