CATENA ZAPATA Malbec, Argentino - Uco Valley, Mendoza 2008 IMPERIAL (600cl)

Description

The Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino is an exceptional wine crafted from carefully selected vines in the Catena family’s estate vineyards, producing extremely low yields. Aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak, the 2008 vintage showcases a saturated dark violet colour, with alluring aromas of cassis, mocha, and clove, complemented by earthy soil tones. Its rich density is enhanced by gripping flavours of tobacco, dark berries, and spices, leading to a palate-staining finish of sweet black and blue fruits. Earning 97 points from both The Wine Advocate and James Suckling, this Malbec is praised for its complexity and richness. Wine Enthusiast applauds its finesse, while Vinous highlights its vibrant minerality, establishing it as one of the finest Malbecs available.

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Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino is made from a meticulous vine selection in the best lots of the Catena family’s estate vineyards. These Zapata vines are carefully hand tended and produce extremely low yields. The grapes are micro-fermented in new French oak barriques and the wine is then aged for 24 months in new French oak. This wine is made in very limited quantities.

The Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino 2008 shows a saturated dark violet color; the nose offers cassis, mocha and clove, along with a strong suggestion of soil tones. It combines density and sweetness on the one hand, with gripping flavors of tobacco, dark berries, spices and minerals; a palate-staining finish dominated by sweet black and blue fruits.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 97 points
Drink Date: 2011 - 2028
The 2008 Argentino Malbec is a blend of 65% Adrianna and 35% Nicasia fruit. It, too, spent 24 months in 100% new French oak. The Argentino offers a similar aromatic and flavor profile but with just a bit of extra nuance, presumably because of the blending. Dense, rich, and voluptuous, this lengthy effort should easily achieve its 20th birthday in peak form. It will be most enjoyable to taste these three wines side-by-side in another 10-15 years. There is no let up in quality at Catena Zapata, where Nicolas Catena remains in charge, assisted by his daughter, Dr. Laura Catena. The new releases include two white wines. - Jay S Miller, 23rd Dec 2011

JAMES SUCKLING 97 points
This is a really contrastive, rich and energetic malbec with crushed berries, as well as peaches and orange peel. Full body and soft tannins, yet always fresh and vivid. A little semillon in this from the blend plantings. Drink or hold.

WINE ENTHUSIAST 96 points
One of the finest top end Malbecs on the market today. There's raisin, mineral, liquorice, blackberry and more. The mouth is both huge and shows finesse. And the mile-long finish of coffee, mocha and molten-black fruit is awesome.

VINOUS 95 points
(more or less 100% malbec, according to winemaker Alejandro Vigil): Bright ruby-red. Aromas of cassis, espresso, stone and bitter chocolate, with a violet topnote emerging with air. Wonderfully sweet and silky but also quite penetrating, with a remarkably urgent quality to the crushed berry flavor. Superb minerality and a whiff of fresh herbs contribute to this wine's bracing character. Extremely fine-grained from start to long, vibrant finish. - Stephen Tanzer