How long can Nicolás Catena Zapata age?

Thanks to its firm tannin structure and high-altitude fruit concentration, well-stored bottles can develop gracefully for 15-25 years or more.

What food pairs best with Nicolás Catena Zapata?

Grilled or roasted red meats such as ribeye, prime rib, or lamb are the classic match, along with aged hard cheeses.

CuvéeMendozaRed

Nicolás Catena Zapata

Name: Nicolás Catena Zapata
Brand: Catena Zapata
Availability: InStock

ニコラス・カテナ・サパータ

Catena Zapata

About Nicolás Catena Zapata

Style: Red
Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc
Price Range: $90-150
Alcohol: 14%

Nicolás Catena Zapata is the winery's flagship icon wine, first released with the 1997 vintage as Dr. Nicolás Catena's answer to the great First Growths of Bordeaux and the top wines of Napa Valley. A Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend with Malbec and Cabernet Franc, it sources fruit from two contrasting high-altitude terroirs — the limestone-rich Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary and the alluvial soils of Paraje Altamira, both in the Uco Valley above 1,400 meters. The wine is celebrated for its structure, precision, and ability to age for decades, and is widely regarded as Argentina's most important fine wine.

Sommelier's Note

The wine that proved Argentina could compete with Bordeaux and Napa on the world stage — still the country's most benchmarked red.

New to wine?

A serious, structured wine best enjoyed after decanting — a benchmark for what Argentine fine wine can achieve at the top level.

Food Pairings

Best suited to grilled or roasted red meats — bone-in ribeye, prime rib, or leg of lamb — where the wine's firm tannin and dark fruit can stand up to char and fat. Aged hard cheeses like Manchego or Parmigiano-Reggiano also work well.

When to drink it

Milestone celebrations, formal dinners, cellar-worthy investment purchases

Where to Buy

Contains ads (PR)

Prices and availability are as of the last check. Please confirm the latest details on each shop's page. Links may include affiliate ads.

Terroir & Winemaking

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc sourced from the Adrianna Vineyard (Gualtallary, limestone soils, ~1,450m) and Paraje Altamira (alluvial soils, Uco Valley). Fermented in small lots by parcel with indigenous yeasts, aged approximately 18-24 months in new French oak barrels. Composition and vineyard weighting vary by vintage.

About the producer

Catena ZapataThe pioneer of high-altitude Malbec and the benchmark for Argentine wine.Visit the producer page →

More wines from Catena Zapata

Frequently Asked Questions

What grapes are in Nicolás Catena Zapata?: It is a Bordeaux-style blend led by Cabernet Sauvignon, with Malbec and Cabernet Franc, sourced from the Adrianna and Paraje Altamira vineyards in Argentina's Uco Valley.
How long can Nicolás Catena Zapata age?: Thanks to its firm tannin structure and high-altitude fruit concentration, well-stored bottles can develop gracefully for 15-25 years or more.
What food pairs best with Nicolás Catena Zapata?: Grilled or roasted red meats such as ribeye, prime rib, or lamb are the classic match, along with aged hard cheeses.

Want to know more about this wine?

Ask Vinami's sommelier — no intimidation, just answers.

Talk to the Sommelier