2008 Nicolas Catena Zapata (Pre-Arrival Sale)

Wine Advocate
"98 pts ... The 2008 Nicolas Catena Zapata is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc that spent 24 months in 100% new French oak followed by 24 months in bottle prior to release. It delivers an inviting bouquet of wood smoke, pencil lead, espresso, incense, lavender, black currant, and black cherry. This sets the stage for a full-bodied, powerful yet elegant, beautifully proportioned effort with great depth and volume. It conceals plenty of structure and will effortlessly evolve for 6-8 years, drinking well through 2028, if not longer."

Winemaker's Notes
"Nicolas Catena Zapata 2008 has an intense dark violet color with bluish-black tones. Complex wine; Super-ripe aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate and licorice, enlivened by minerals, violet, pepper and herbs. Then penetrating, sharply delineated and impressively concentrated, with a serious backbone supporting its very fresh currant and mineral flavors; the vibrant, echoing finish suggests that this wine will have even more to say in a couple of years."

Technical Notes
"78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Malbec. Nicolás Catena Zapata is made from a meticulous vine selection in the best lots of the Catena family’s estate vineyards. These Zapata vines are carefully hand tended and produce extremely low yields. The grapes are micro-fermented in new French oak barriques and the wine is then aged for 24 months in new French oak. 14.5% alc."