Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard Malbec 2007

Professional Ratings

• 96 Wine Spectator
  This shows how powerful Argentine Malbec can be, with a torrent of blackberry, boysenberry and bittersweet ganache notes. But there's exceptional drive and focus here as well, with a great graphite spine driving through the spice- and floral-infused finish. A stunner for its combination of power and precision, and the best wine yet from this winery. Best from 2011 through 2016.
• 95 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  The single vineyard Malbecs begin with the 2007 Nicasia Vineyard Malbec. It was barrel-fermented and aged for 18 months in 100% new oak including a racking into a second set of new barrels (the so-called “200% new oak” treatment). A glass-coating opaque purple/black in color, it offers up a splendid nose of toasty new oak, earth notes, exotic spices, black cherry and black raspberry. This is followed by a plush, layered, intensely flavored wine with potential complexity, precision balance, and a seamless finish. Give it 4-6 years of cellaring and drink it through 2027, probably longer, these wines have no track record of longevity.
• 94 Wine Enthusiast
  Among Catena's high-end wines from 2007, Nicasia is the top performer. It shows alluring aromas of smoky oak, wild flowers and pure berry fruits. The Palate is a blend of smoothness, grainy tannins and fine acidity, while the flavors of berries, chocolate and cola are layered just right. Still, the pacesetter for high-end Argentine Malbec; drink now through 2015.
• 92 Wine & Spirits
  Argentino is a blend of Catena’s three principal malbec vineyards: Adrianna, Nicasia and Angélica. In this warm vintage the aromas and flavors recall sweet blackberries; it’s framed by a powerful structure, the tannins as sinewy as the muscles of a long-distance runner. Wait two or three years for this wine to gain in complexity, or drink it now with roast wild boar.