52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Malbec. The Cabernet Sauvignon fruit was sourced from the lime, clay soil of Lot 3 in the La Pirámide vineyard and the sandy, lime soil of Lot 3 in the Domingo vineyard. Cooler than usual March temperatures in La Pirámide lent complexity and structure to the fruit while warmer than normal March temperatures in Domingo offered generous yet concentrated cassis fruit flavors and aromas. The Malbec fruit was sourced from the sand based soil of Lot 9 from the Adrianna vineyard. The warmer March temperatures in Adrianna displayed excellent color and a silky texture in the Malbec grapes. This vintage should be enjoyed in 5 to 6 years and will continue to improve over the following 12 to 14 years.
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| Name: |
Nicolás Catena Zapata |
| Varietal: |
52% Cabernet Sauvignon; 48% Malbec |
| Vintage: |
2001 |
| Vineyards: |
Cabernet: La Pirámide Vineyard, Agrelo district, 3,100’ elevation, Domingo Vineyard, Villa Bastias district, 3,700’ elevation.
Malbec: Adrianna Vineyard, Gualtallary district, 4,610’ elevation |
| Harvest Date: |
Cabernet: La Pirámide Vineyard: March 23, 2001, Domingo Vineyard: March 28, 2001
Malbec: April 20, 2001 |
| Fermentation: |
Cabernet: La Pirámide Vineyard: Max temp. 28° C, 28 day maceration, Domingo Vineyard: Max temp. 28° C, 26 day maceration
Malbec: Adrianna Vineyard: Max temp. 30° C, 31 day maceration |
| Aging: |
18 months in 100% new French oak |
| Alcohol: |
13.8% vol. |
| Acidity/pH: |
5.55/3.65 |
| Fining/Filtration: |
Unfined/Unfiltered |
| Production: |
2,000 9 liter cases |
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The 2001 Growing Season:
A mild spring brought a wonderful flowering and fruit set. Slightly warm temperatures throughout summer caused a light water stress in the vines, keeping berry size small and concentrating flavors. Cooler temperatures throughout March slowed down the ripening process, allowing the grapes to heighten their level of physiological ripeness. Rain in late March and early April complicated the final stages of ripening for Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon in some areas. Detailed leaf removal and well drained soils helped alleviate this problem in select Catena Zapata vineyards and together with a demanding grape selection process ensured excellent quality for both varietals.
The Vineyards:
The core Cabernet Sauvignon fruit component was sourced from Lot 3 of the La Pirámide vineyard. These vines offer an exceptional level of homogeneity and balance, from overall yield to cluster distribution to canopy size and density. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes form this lot have rich cassis flavors and excellent structure. A second component of Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from Lot 2 of the Domingo Vineyard. This higher altitude, cooler climate vineyard provides fruit with ripe black cherry flavors and a light mineral touch with traces of eucalyptus.
The Malbec fruit component was sourced from Lot 3 of the Adrianna Vineyard. Bodega Catena Zapata’s Adrianna vineyard is the highest Malbec vineyard in Mendoza. The cool, mountain microclimate produces exceptionally concentrated Malbec grapes with ripe black cherry flavors interwoven with delicate floral aromas and finely grained tannins.
The Wine:
The 2001 Nicolás Catena Zapata presents a unique blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. In its youth, the rich, concentrated, primary fruit flavors typical of high altitude Argentine Malbec will predominate. However, as the wine ages, the Cabernet Sauvignon element will gain prominence, lending increasing complexity to the wine with long term cellaring. |
