Catena Zapata - Nicolas 2011

Catena Zapata - Nicolas 2011 (91 TSW)

Beautiful blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Malbec from Argentine. We drank this with our wineclub during a nice Argentine evening.
I suggest to decanter for half a day or use the Vspin.

My tasting notes:

In the glass a dark purple color with blackish rim.
The medium+ nose shows wonderful aromas of blackberries, dark plums and cherries blended with aromas of dark coffee, vanilla, leather, sweet spices and chocolate.
On the palate dry, medium+ bodied with medium+ acidity and medium ripe tannins. Very concentrated flavours of dark cherries, cassis and liquorice with hints of coffee and tobacco. The finish is long and persistent. Excellent!

Pairing with Ribeye, Beef, Lamb, Game (deer, game) or Poultry. 

Wine comes from three different vineyards. La Pirámide Vineyard: (950 m) Cabernet Sauvignon. Nicasia Vineyard: (1,095 m). Malbec. Adrianna Vineyard: (1,450 m). Malbec.

10% whole cluster and 90% whole berry fruit is hand-loaded into 225-500 liter first and second use French oak foudres for a 100% barrel fermentation for a period of 18 days, allowing seamless oak integration. The fermentation temperature is kept low, extracting intense aromas, and the cap management is done by hand to ensure soft, gentle flavors and tannin extraction. Wild yeasts. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrel leaves considerable lees and sediment. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 24 months. 210 separate row microvinifications from different lots and harvest times.