2022 Catena Zapata Nicasia Malbec, Mendoza

The 2022 Malbec Nicasia Vineyard was sourced from Paraje Altamira and aged for up to 21 months in oak barrels. Aromas of violets and lavender blend with cassis and intense blue fruit notes. Delicate yet juicy with a plush texture, it shows fine oak integration. It's precise in its fruit expression, finishing long with refined structure and a polished impression. The fresh, dry 2022 vintage lends additional nuance to this delicious wine. Compared to Catena Zapata’s single vineyard wines, Nicasia typically receives less attention, but this is a distinctive, captivating Malbec in and of itself.

97 points Joaquín Hidalgo Vinous, November 2024

This is concentrated, with dense dark fruit. The nose shows blue fruit, tar and tapenade. The palate is juicy and medium- to full-bodied, with delineated concentration, dark fruit flavors and voluminous presence balanced by precise tannins. Drink now.

96 points, Jacobo García Andrade James Suckling, March 2025

The Nicasia Vineyard sits at 1,095 meters above sea level in Altamira in the La Consulta District of Uco Valley (Mendoza, Argentina). It has very shallow loamy topsoil with surface gravel. The gravelly dry river bed subsoils provide optimal drainage.

This wine goes through an extensive cold maceration (whole cluster) of 3-12 days at less than 10ºC) to extract aromas. The juice is then fermented for around 18-25 days with a total maceration of approximately 23-29 days. It is refined for 16-21 months in French Oak second used barrels.