2020 Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard Malbec
97 Points - James Suckling: A mixture of black and blue fruit, very perfumed and elegant. Cherries, plums and blueberries with a peppery undertone. Crushed violets, too. Bone-dry on the palate with abundant, silky tannins and a juicy, lengthy finish. Drinkable now, but better from 2026.
96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: The juicy and peachy 2020 Malbec Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard in Paraje Altamira is the result of a warm year in a warmish place, but the wine shows no excess and comes through as balanced, slightly riper and rounder than the 2019 I tasted next to it but keeping the poise and elegance. It has a medium to full-bodied palate with juicy and abundant tannins. 20,004 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2021. Drink 2024-2030.
96 Points - Vinous: The 2020 Malbec Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard was fermented in barrels, 10% with stems and finished in used foudres. Purple in color. The nose offers notes of violet, lavender, plum and hints of sour cherry followed by aromas from the aging process which enhance the next wave of mint and orange peel. Fluid with gentle, well-polished tannins and a delicate expression, the flow is juicy and expansive before the languorous finish. A well-made wine for 2020. Drink 2021-2039.
94 Points - Wine Enthusiast: Deliciously fresh aromas of mint leaf, dark fruit and nutmeg mix with white pepper on the nose. The palate shows strength and a mineral texture. 2020 was a warm year, but this wine exhibits excellent acidity, driving mulberry, blackberries, oak spices and Mediterranean herbs through the flavorful finish.
Editors' Choice