Catena Zapata Nicasia Malbec

The Nicasia Malbec from Catena Zapata comes from a single vineyard in the Gualtallary Valley – one of Mendoza's highest-altitude wine-growing regions at over 1,450 meters. At this altitude, the grapes ripen more slowly, the nights are cold, and the UV radiation is intense: the result is Malbec wines with unusual structure and freshness.

Catena Zapata is considered a pioneer of high-altitude viticulture in Argentina. In the 1980s, Nicolás Catena Zapata systematically began planting vines at increasingly higher altitudes – bucking the trend at the time. The Nicasia vineyard, named after his mother, is one of the results of this work.

In the glass, the wine displays blackberry, plum, and blackcurrant, underpinned by cedar, tobacco, and a hint of dark chocolate. The tannins are dense yet fine-grained – not a block of oak, but a structured body with a long, minerally spicy finish. The acidity holds everything together and gives the wine drive.

• Dishes: Argentinian asado, braised leg of lamb, beef steak with chimichurri or aged Manchego cheese
• Temperature: 17–18 °C
• Drinking window: Now until 2032, with potential for longer storage