Catena Zapata

What is your recommendation about Catena Zapata wines?

Greetings, Juan,

My experiences with Catena Zapata have been quite positive. I found their wines to be bold in flavor, rich, and smooth in texture. I was particularly impressed with their 2002 cabernet sauvignon and their 2003 Alta chardonnay--really decent wines. The higher end stuff (especially the blended Nicolás Catena Zapata) didn't really catch my fancy quite as much--but higher prices create higher expectations, I guess).

I don't think they release it commercially, but I had the chance to taste the single vineyard bottlings of the three different vineyards at different altitudes from which they get the grapes for their cabernet sauvignon. Tasting the differences according to altitude was a really neat experience. Brought a whole new meaning to the term 'vertical tasting'!

Tks so much

Juan, the Zapata line of wines from Catena represent the top of their wine list. Followed by the Alta line. I have more experience with the Alta, and little with the Zapata, mostly due to cost. The Alta sell in the USA for or around $45 per bottle for the malbec, and for the cab sauv. the chardonnay is more like $75. For the Zapata wines the price(s) will fall into the $75 - $100 range depending on where one shops. The Zapata red wine is often favorably compared to the first growth bordeaux wines, and usually are blended from the same grapes as the bordeaux.

I received a bottle of the Nicolas Catena Zapata for Xmas from a friend. Does anyone have any experience / observations with this vintage?

Thanks,

Richard

I received a bottle of the Nicolas Catena Zapata for Xmas from a friend. Does anyone have any experience / observations with this vintage?

Thanks, Richard

Richard, you forgot to tell us the vintage, but I wish I had a friend like that! The link below will take to you the winery's web page where you can get their take on all their vintages.

http://www.nicolascatena.com./eng/wines/ncz/ncz.html

A Nicolas Catena of recent release will most probably not be at its peak, it will benefit from some additional time in the cellar.

Hi Alej, happy new year!! Ben Marco is here in Alberta and the Susan Balbao but limited access.
We recently had a very interesting Open Mike on Malbec here on this forum. Lots of participation. More new vintages here in AB so more buying/cellaring coming up.

Ooops....That would be the 2000 vintage.

Richard

Hi Bob. I mostly like what Susana Balbo makes. Limited access is no surprise, a lot of the best stuff is made in very small quantities.

Interesting readin this thread. I just got an invitation to taste their wines later this month. Report shall follow, naturally.

Look forward to hearing about your tasting....