2022 Catena Zapata Nicolas Catena Zapata

98 Points - Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous

“The 2022 Nicolas Catena Zapata blends 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Malbec and 11% Cabernet Franc from Gualtallary and Paraje Altamira. This aged for 18 months in first- and second-use French barrels. It shows great precision. The vintage brings ample ash, sour cherry, plum, lavender and oak notes of cedar, sandalwood, licorice, followed by blackberry. This is layered and expressive. On the palate, it delivers fine grip, juicy energy and length, with textural depth, light chalk and compact structure. The 2022 is full-bodied and pushed to its limits by the cool, dry year, with a final hint of talc.”

97 Points - Jacobo Garcia Andrade Llamas, JamesSuckling.com

“The nose is luminous, with cassis, subtle mint, espresso, dark chocolate and dark, brooding fruit. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with an elegant thread of dark fruit and a succulent texture. The tannin structure is chiseled, supporting the pleasant, expressive fruit. A blend of 46% cabernet sauvignon, 43% malbec and 11% cabernet franc. Aged 18 months in barriques (60% new) and 18 months in bottles. Drink or hold.”

96 Points - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

“These are almost entirely old vines, heading right back to the 19th century, and it still shows why this wine put Argentina Cabernet on the map. Juicy, restrained, elegant, crushed mint leaf, eucalyptus and damson with depth, drawn out slate and crayon through the palate. This has changed its Bordeaux release date from September to March, here is second tasting, confirming the first six months ago. 32ha, Laura Catena director, Alejandro Vigil and Fernando Buscema winemakers.”

96 Points - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Palate

“A blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 43% Malbec, the 2022 Nicolas Catena Zapata is deep garnet purple in color. After a little swirl, the nose erupts with a profound perfume of blackcurrant jelly, plum preserves, and dark chocolate, followed by hints of unsmoked cigars, fertile loam, and bay leaves, plus a touch of pencil shavings. The medium bodied palate has a firm, chewy texture and refreshing acidity framing the muscular black fruit layers, finishing long and earthy.”