Bodega Catena Zapata

Creating wines begin in the vineyard. Our vision is to make rich and unforgettable wines that are true to the special place they come from. The story of Catena is the story of Argentine wine.

Founded in 1902, Argentina’s Bodega Catena Zapata is known for its pioneering role in resurrecting Malbec and in discovering extreme high altitude terroirs in the Andean foothills of Mendoza.

The family’s Adrianna Vineyard at almost 5,000 feet elevation has been called the Grand Cru of South America.

Awards: Decanter Man of the Year, Wine Spectator Distinguished Service Award, Der Feinschmaker Award, Wine and Spirits and Wine Enthusiast Winery Awards.

“Nicolás Catena Zapata is justly credited with putting Argentinean wines on the world map—by the best expedient of focusing entirely on quality. It’s great to know he has started a wine dynasty, too.”

Jancis Robinson, Financial Times wine journalist

“Nicolás Catena Zapata is a man of vision, of high intellect, always curious about others and about how the world is developing. He has been instrumental in changing the Argentinian wine scene more than anybody else, pushing it towards high quality.”

Baron Eric de Rothschild, Château Lafite

“Nicolás Catena Zapata is a figure in Argentina of the stature of Robert Mondavi in Napa and Angelo Gaja in Piedmont. He inspired an entire region to strive for a higher level of quality by his successful exploration of high-altitude vineyards and rigorous clonal selection.”

Larry Stone, trustee, James Beard Foundation

The Wines

Sémillon-Chenin “White Clay”, Bodega Catena Zapata, Luján de Cuyo, Argentina, 2022

The 2022 Sémillon-Chenin White Clay Appellation Luján de Cuyo is a blend of 60% Sémillon and 40% Chenin. Yellow with a golden sheen. The aromatic profile presents honey and wet wool notes over layers of dried flowers. The palate is lean and refreshing with a lively flow creating a compact, nimble mouthfeel. A delightfully novel white.

Chardonnay “Historic Rows”, Catena Alta, Mendoza, Argentina, 2021

The 2021 Catena Alta Chardonnay is a textbook expression of a barrel-fermented Chardonnay. It fermented with indigenous yeasts in 500-liter barrels, where the wine matured for 14 months. It has good ripeness, 13.7% alcohol and full development of aromas and flavors, waxy apples, white flowers intermixed with smoke and spice, coming through as balanced, complete and seamless, fresh and with a low pH and notable acidity.

Cabernet Franc “San Carlos”, Bodega Catena Zapata,  Mendoza, Argentina, 2021

The Catena Cabernet Franc Appellation El Cepillo presents a purple color with red ruby tones. The nose offers elegant aromas of spices, and fresh herbs as thyme and rosemary, red berries, cassis and raspberries, with layers of cedar. The mouthfeel is full and rich with cassis, raspberries flavors and notes of black pepper and oregano. The finish is bright and fresh with finely grained tannins.

Tinto “D.V. Catena Historico”, Bodega Catena Zapata, Mendoza, Argentina, 2020

Bodega Catena Zapata D.V. Catena Historico Tinto is a Red Wine from Mendoza, Argentina. Black fruit and flowers from Uco Valley Malbec laced with spicy Petit Verdot. Malbec lends freshness and smoothness, while Petit Verdot grants volume and persistence, conferring a lush, rich attack and wonderful length to the blend.

Malbec “Paraje Altamira High Mountain Vines”, Bodega Catena Zapata,  Mendoza, Argentina, 2021

Expressive aromas of dark raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, licorice, violet, tobacco and herbs, plus a whiff of leather. The palate delivers lovely pure dark fruit flavors at moderate alcohol, with hints of peppery herbs and minerals giving the wine very good cut and lift. Finishes classically dry and long.      

Malbec “Argentino”, Bodega Catena Zapata,  Mendoza, Argentina, 2021

The Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino shows a saturated dark violet color with ruby reflections; the nose offers cassis, blueberries and violets, along with a strong suggestion of soil tones. It combines density and sweetness on the one hand, with gripping, lightly saline flavors of mocha, dark berries, spice, and minerals; a palate-staining finish dominated by sweet black and blue fruits.                                                                       

Cabernet Sauvignon “Catena Alta”, Bodega Catena Zapata,  Mendoza, Argentina, 2021

From a combination of terroirs in the Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo, fermented separately, followed by aging for 18 months in French oak, the majority Cabernet Sauvignon combined with 7% Cabernet Franc, this is a textbook wine. Complex, with aromatic notes including red and black fruit, herbs and oak, it unfolds in layers on the tight, sugary palate, where the grippy tannins provide a precise, enlivening freshness. A surprising wine.

Red “Nicolas”, Bodega Catena Zapata, Mendoza, Argentina, 2019

The 2019 Nicolás Catena Zapata was produced with 42% Cabernet Sauvignon from Gualtallary (Adrianna Vineyard), 30% Malbec from Altamira (Nicasia Vineyard) and a high percentage of Cabernet Franc (28%), also from Adrianna, which took the place of Cabernet Sauvignon. It fermented in small oak barrels, concrete and stainless steel tanks with a short post-fermentative maceration. Élevage was in first and second-use French oak barrels and lasted for 18 months, including malolactic.