Nicolas Catena Zapata, Pre-Phylloxeric Classified Blend, Mendoza

Nicolas Catena Zapata remains the definitive benchmark for Argentine viticulture. This Pre-Phylloxeric Classified Blend is a meticulous assembly of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, sourced from the high-altitude Adrianna and Nicasia vineyards in Mendoza. The project was born from Nicolas Catena’s drive to prove that high-mountain terroir could rival the premier crus of Bordeaux.

The wine is produced from ungrafted vines, preserving a genetic purity lost to much of the world. In the cellar, winemaker Alejandro Vigil employs traditional methods: cold maceration followed by fermentation in small French oak barrels. The wine matures for 18 months in 100% new French oak, ensuring structural integrity and longevity.

The profile is consistently precise. On the nose, expect blackcurrant, graphite, and subtle cedar. The palate delivers concentrated dark fruit, firm tannins, and a flinty minerality characteristic of limestone soils. It is a wine of significant stature, offering the complexity of an investment-grade bottle with the reliable intensity of the Uco Valley.