PROFESSIONAL RATINGS 98/100 James Suckling 95/100 Robert's Parker Wine Advocate 95/100 Vinous 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson 4.5/5.0 Vivino James Suckling 98/100 points "Perfumed and seductive nose of purple plums, blueberries, dried roses, violets, lemon zest, chocolate, truffles and cigar box. It’s full-bodied, yet so elegant and weightless. Seamless, finely knit tannins. Beautiful, lengthy finish. Try from 2024." Robert's Parker Wine Advocate 95/100 points "The 2020 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino follows the path of the 2019, harvested early and fermented with 100% full clusters in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and matured in oak vats and some barrels for 12 to 18 months. It's juicy, powerful and with abundant tannins and a slight earthiness. It's a little more voluptuous and mixes grapes from Angélica (Lunlunta) and some from Nicasia (Altamira)." Vinous 95/100 points "The 2020 Malbec Argentino Catena Zapata from Lunlunta and Paraje Altamira, Mendoza was made in roll fermenters and spent 18 months in used barrels. A vivid purple in the glass. The nose features ripe blackberry, plum, raisins, tobacco and unexpected violet notes before a secondary layer of aromas from the aging process and a whi! of strawberry. Creamy and smooth on the palate with an indulgent opening leading into a broad, voluminous flow, this is a complex, velvety wine in which the luxury is balanced by the freshness. A superb Mendoza Malbec.“ Jancis Robinson 16.5/20 points "Rich, sweet-fruited nose with black cherry and blackberry. Rich fruit continues on the palate, complemented by heavy spice and vanilla flavours. Fine, dusty tannins, mouth-watering acidity, medium-plus in length. Classic in terms of typicality but of superior quality.“ CATENA ZAPATA In 1902, Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant, planted his first vineyard in Mendoza, Argentina. The winery has remained under family control — now in its fourth generation — and is one of the few family-owned wine companies in Argentina that remains in Argentine hands. Owned today by Nicolás Catena and his daughter Laura, Bodega Catena Zapata is known as the pioneer of fine wine from Argentina, and Nicolás is recognized as the vintner who revolutionized wine quality in Argentina. A trained economist, Nicolás began this revolution in the early 1980s and continues to challenge himself and his team to make wines that can be counted among the best in the world. His measured approach to viticulture has taken its place in wine history as the pioneer of Malbec and high-altitude viticulture. CATENA ZAPATA In 1902, Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant, planted his first vineyard in Mendoza, Argentina. The winery has remained under family control — now in its fourth generation — and is one of the few family-owned wine companies in Argentina that remains in Argentine hands. Owned today by Nicolás Catena and his daughter Laura, Bodega Catena Zapata is known as the pioneer of fine wine from Argentina, and Nicolás is recognized as the vintner who revolutionized wine quality in Argentina. A trained economist, Nicolás began this revolution in the early 1980s and continues to challenge himself and his team to make wines that can be counted among the best in the world. His measured approach to viticulture has taken its place in wine history as the pioneer of Malbec and high-altitude viticulture. TEN CENTURIES OF LIFE, DEATH AND REBIRTH The epic tale of the noble Malbec grape is like no other, and the label for Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino pays tribute to the variety’s history in France and its rise in Argentina. Four female figures embody different landmarks in the history of the grape. Eleanor of Aquitaine represents the birth of Malbec. She is a strong, Old World presence, lingering at the bridge in Cahors, where Malbec came into its own. Next, the Immigrant symbolizes the movement to the New World and the unknown explorers and adventurers who connected Europe with the Americas. Phylloxera personifies the death of Malbec in the Old World, which enabled its rebirth in the new. Finally, there is Bodega Catena Zapata, represented by Adrianna Catena, who depicts birth, earth, and motherhood, sharing the riches of the New World. Today, the Catena family’s fourth generation leads the high-altitude renaissance in Argentina. We are returning Malbec to the sky... where it belongs. VINIFICATION 20% whole cluster and 80% whole berry fruit is hand-loaded into 225-500 liter new French oak barrels for a 100% barrel fermentation for a period of 28 days, allowing seamless oak integration. The fermentation temperature is kept low, extracting intense aromas, and the cap management is done by hand to ensure soft, gentle flavors and tannin extraction. Wild yeasts. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrel leaves considerable lees and sediment. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. DRINKING WINDOW 2021 - 2030 http://www.malbecargentino.com/ STORAGE Bottles have been kept in wine cabinet under optimal conditions SHIPPING The bottles will be carefully packed in order to make sure that the label will not get damaged and sent in a special box. Shipping rates include insurance.