Wine Spectator 90 points - There’s a tightly wound core of plum, currant and blackberry fruit here, but it’s held in check by ample toast and chocolate notes for now. Thick tannins dominate the finish. Impressive density for the vintage, though some further harmony is needed from cellaring. Best from 2005 through 2008. 450 cases imported. –JM (Sep 15 2004)
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The 2000 Nicolás Catena Zapata presents a deep garnet color with tones of dark violet and purple. The nose offers bright, intense aromas of plum, cassis and blackberry fruit meshed with notes of vanilla, chocolate and spice with a touch of eucalyptus. Concentrated and full-bodied, this wine shows a remarkable elegance and harmony. The long, lingering finish is dominated by sweet, velvety tannins.
Wine maker notes
The 2000 growing season in the high altitude wine country of Mendoza offered wonderful conditions for the cultivation of excellent Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec fruit. Lower than normal temperatures in Spring resulted in a delayed maturation cycle. Indeed veraison occurred in January some 7 to 10 days later than usual. The cooler temperatures allowed the grapes to experience a slower, gradual maturation process, helping to ensure a more complete ripeness level. There was some isolated rain in March, but detailed canopy management with some leaf removal ensured that the clusters were properly aerated, avoiding any damage. The autumn harvest season was dry and temperate, with warm sunny days and cool mountain nights allowing the grapes the opportunity to achieve optimum ripeness.
The Cabernet Sauvignon fruit is sourced from Lot 3 of the La Pirámide vineyard. The 20 year old vines in this specially selected lot offer an exceptional level of homogeneity and balance, with all elements of fruit distribution, yield and canopy in perfect, natural harmony. A select, precise leaf pulling process removes interior canopy foliage surrounding the clusters, allowing for more homogeneous aeration and solar insulation. Careful irrigation management during the important maturation months of March and April allow the grapes to achieve maximum concentration, structure and balance.
The Malbec fruit is sourced from two vineyards: Lot 3 of the Nicasia vineyard and Lot 18 of the Angelica vineyard. The more than 70 year old Angelica vineyard offers ideal conditions for Malbec cultivation. The predominantly sandy soils, which are mixed with a bit of clay, offer excellent drainage, while the continental climate of warm, sunny days and cool, crisp nights allow for even ripening and extended hang times.
The 15 year old vines in this specially selected lot of the Nicasia vineyard undergo a thorough suckering process to remove any unwanted, secondary shoots in order to ensure proper canopy balance. The lot also experiences a demanding green harvesting leaving isolated clusters in order to maximize concentration. A wide, 13.8ş C, thermal amplitude in the important ripening month of March allows the Malbec grapes to develop deep dark violet color, intense aromatic structure and soft sweet tannins.
Producer
Over the past 20 years, Nicolás and Laura Catena and their vineyard management team have worked tirelessly in the discovery, identification and development of key microclimates in the high altitude wine country of Mendoza, Argentina. Nicolás Catena has planted an almost countless number of varietals and clones throughout his mountain vineyard sites.
This quest for quality lead Nicolás and Laura Catena to a crucial discovery regarding the influence of altitude on grape cultivation in Mendoza. Observing the important differences in soil types, average temperatures and thermal amplitudes that exist at varying altitudes, he found that vineyard sites which are just a few kilometers apart can have vast differences in altitude and possess remarkably different microclimates.
Over the years, the in depth study of these different microclimates led Nicolás to determine that the same varietal, and even the same clone, presented distinct aromatic and flavor profiles when cultivated in each of these unique microclimates. Implementing the age old art of assemblage, he found that by blending these different lots of the same varietal, he could achieve a more complex wine.
