Catena Zapata Nicasia 2008 is a dark red violet Malbec. Ripe black fruits, sweet spices and thyme are some of the aromas that we can appreciate from this special malbec from one of the Catena´s highest family vineyards. Very complex and expressive palate, with lovely violet flavors, dark berries, licorice, bitter chocolate and spicecake.

VINIFICATION:

De-stemmed, whole berry fruit is hand loaded into 225 liter new French oak barrels; 100% barrel fermented for seamless oak integration; Low fermentation temperatures extract intense aromas; all cap management done by hand for soft, gentle flavor and tannin extraction; alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrel leaves considerable lees and sediment.

VINTAGE:

The 2008 vintage shows exceptional levels of concentration and complexity. Climate conditions were exceptionally dry. This caused the physiological ripening of sugars to accelerate but the phenological ripening of polyphenols to slow down. In late January, some precipitation moved in which lowered temperatures and brought the physiological and phenological ripening processes back into synchronization. April has been dry and very cool. The grapes still on the vine are developing very nicely and will be harvested in excellent sanitary conditions, with exceptional levels of concentration and complexity..

VINEYARDS:

Nicasia vineyard, La Consulta district (lot 1) 3870’ elevation