Launch of 1997 Nicolás Catena Zapata

The 1997 Nicolás Catena represents the culmination of a life long pursuit by a visionary wine producer to create wines in the high altitude wine country of Mendoza, Argentina which could stand with the best the world had to offer.

This wine will only be produced in exceptional vintage years and will represent the very best that Nicolás Catena and his team can produce.

Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, June 2000
95 points
"The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Nicolás Catena Zapata (95) . . . reveals a dense black/purple color as well as a sensational core of creme de cassis liquor intertwined with toasty oak. Unevolved and supple, with enormous concentration and richness . . . this huge, full-bodied wine is surpassingly well-balanced and symmetrical for its size. It should drink well for two decades."
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, June 2000

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, Week of 5/11/2001 
92 points
"When it comes to Argentine wine, not many people have a résumé like Nicolás Catena's. He has nearly single-handedly pushed the quality of that country's wine upward, while at the same time schooling a new generation, including his children, who have their own wine labels. He has also recently completed construction on a new flagship winery that sits in the middle of one his best vineyards-the Agrelo vineyard. Here, the value-priced Alamos, mid-level Catena and high-end Catena Alta wines will be made. Additionally, a new Cabernet, made only in top vintages, will also be produced. The 1997 Catena Zapata Mendoza is the first release of this wine, which sources its fruit from the Agrelo vineyard. Of the more than 450 Argentine wines we've reviewed over the years, only three have scored this highly-with two of them coming from Nicolás Catena. It shows how a lifetime of experience in the vineyards can pay off in a wine. While the $80 price may be tough to swallow, the wine isn't. It goes for the gusto, and pulls it off. With its dense texture and gobs of pure cassis, kirsch and blackberry fruit, this is like distilled essence of Cabernet. Spice and mineral notes, and a dollop of creamy toast finish this very finely crafted juice off."
Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, May 2001.