{"product_id":"2021-bodegas-catena-zapata-nicolas","title":"2021 Bodegas Catena Zapata Nicolas","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 2021 Bodegas Catena Zapata Nicolás is the flagship red from one of Argentina’s most pioneering estates, showcasing just how refined and age‑worthy high‑altitude Mendoza wines can be. Crafted predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon with a significant proportion of Malbec, this cuvée brings together power, precision, and elegance in a truly collector‑worthy bottling. Named after Nicolás Catena, the visionary who helped put Argentine fine wine on the world stage, this wine is a benchmark for modern, world‑class reds from the Andes foothills.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2021 Nicolás shows a deep, opaque ruby core with violet hues at the rim, hinting at both concentration and youthful vibrancy. The nose is layered and expressive, offering notes of ripe blackcurrant, blackberry, and dark plum, interwoven with hints of violets, graphite, tobacco leaf, and subtle baking spices from well‑judged oak.\n\nOn the palate, the wine is full‑bodied yet beautifully balanced, with a fine spine of acidity and polished, chalk‑tinted tannins that reflect its high‑altitude origins. Flavors of cassis, black cherry, and blueberry unfold alongside cocoa, cedar, and a touch of savory herb and mineral. The finish is long, precise, and persistent, suggesting excellent aging potential. While already approachable with a proper decant, this vintage will reward cellaring over the next 10–15 years, gaining complexity and integration as the fruit, tannins, and oak harmonize further.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSourced from Catena Zapata’s elite high‑altitude vineyards in Mendoza—primarily in the Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo—the 2021 Nicolás is a reflection of mountain viticulture at its finest. The vines grow on poor, rocky, alluvial soils with excellent drainage, where cool Andean nights and intense daytime sunshine preserve acidity and build depth of flavor. Grapes are hand‑harvested in small lots, allowing for precise selection in the vineyard and again on sorting tables at the winery. Vinification typically involves small‑batch fermentations, parcel by parcel, using a combination of stainless steel and traditional open‑top vessels to capture aromatic purity and fine tannin structure. The wine is then matured in French oak barrels—many of them new—for an extended period, allowing complexity, texture, and the signature Nicolás elegance to develop without overshadowing the fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a serious, gastronomic red that shines alongside richly flavored dishes. Think dry‑aged ribeye, grilled lamb chops with rosemary, slow‑braised short ribs, or game meats such as venison. It also pairs beautifully with truffle‑infused dishes, roasted root vegetables, mushroom ragù, and aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano‑Reggiano or Manchego. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for optimal expression. Decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended in its youth to open up the aromatics and soften the structure; older bottles can be decanted gently just before serving to remove sediment while preserving evolved nuances.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCatena Zapata is one of Argentina’s most influential and acclaimed wineries, widely credited with redefining the country’s potential for world‑class wines. Founded in 1902, the estate was transformed by Nicolás Catena in the late 20th century, when he pioneered high‑altitude vineyard planting in Mendoza and championed a more terroir‑driven approach to Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, Catena Zapata is a reference point for fine wine in the region, known for meticulous viticulture, extensive vineyard research, and a portfolio that consistently earns international critical acclaim. The Nicolás bottling stands at the pinnacle of the range, representing the winery’s most rigorous selection and its unwavering commitment to crafting age‑worthy Argentine reds that can rival the great wines of the world.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Catena Zapata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54255283470673,"sku":"GCW-ZAPA-30521-2-1","price":99.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/2021_Bodegas_Catena_Zapata_Nicolas.png?v=1783458270","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2021-bodegas-catena-zapata-nicolas","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}