Bodegas Catena Zapata
Over the holidays I decided to open my 3 liter of 2000 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon that I had been saving for a special occasion. A few years ago I had been given this bottle as a wedding gift and wanted to share it with friends and family. It was a special treat to serve the wine from my magnum decanter to a table of thirteen, including guests from Boston, Miami, San Diego and San Paolo, Brazil. This Cabernet was a delicious pair to meat lasagna and tiramisu dessert.
As a brief background, Catena Alta wines are a label produced by Bodegas Catena Zapata from Mendoza, Argentina. All of the Alta selections (Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay) are single varietal wines sourced from select rows of high altitude estate vineyards. The 2000 vintage is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Malbec. During this wine’s particular growing season, the grapes benefited from warm days, adding body and concentration to the wine, as well as cool nights, providing balanced acidity and structure.
When my guests tasted this wine, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Some of the impressions included dark berry fruits such as plums and cassis. I was most struck by the chocolate and leather notes that intertwined elegantly with flavors of earth, cedar and vanilla. The wine had a full-bodied mouthfeel whose fruit and tannin structure was evident in the long finish.
Winemaker José Galante makes similar observations:
The 2000 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep, dark ruby red color with violet and purple hues. The nose is powerful yet focused, with aromas of cassis and black currant fruit interwoven with a touch of eucalyptus, vanilla, cedar and leather. The mouthfeel is full, yet soft, with rich, concentrated flavors of plum and black cherry interwoven with hints of chocolate and sweet spice. The finish is structured and lingering, with firm yet finely grained tannins.
In conclusion, I recommend that if you haven’t had the chance to try the wines by Bodegas Catena Zapata, in particular the Alta selections, 2008 is the time! The Vinfolio wine store is currently selling the 2004 Catena Alta - Cabernet Sauvignon ($44) and 2003 Catena Zapata, Nicolas - Cabernet Sauvignon ($92).