CATENA ZAPATA, ANGELICA ZAPATA 'BIRTH OF CABERNET'
MENDOZA, ARGENTINA 2021
Why Buy: This debut, 96-point release, depicting the origins of Cabernet’s conception, is a powerful but structured red, with length to spare. A delicious testament to everything that's distinguished this 4th-generation winemaking family over the years: the high-elevation vineyards, the old vines that reach back more than 100 years, and the passionate pursuit of precision in every ready-to-drink bottle.
What They're Saying: In his 96-point paean, James Suckling's tasting notes are as evocative as they are seductive. Beginning with its complex and alluring aromatics ("cigar box, tobacco and dark truffles with lots of ripe dark olives"), he goes on to single out its "piles of dusty tannins [that] grow on the palate in a crescendo, with great focus and freshness," with a "layered, lengthy finish goes on and on."
The Bottling: The name 'Birth of Cabernet' is echoed by the label, which turns the legend of Cabernet Sauvignon – an accidental, 17th century cross of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc – into a kind of fable, replete with fanciful, anthropomorphic animals.
The Story: Catena Zapata might be a New World estate, but it speaks with a distinctly Old World accent. And to properly understand how it ascended to its current, lofty perch, we have to take you back to just after the turn of the 20th century – to 1902, when Nicola Catena, an immigrant from Italy, planted his first vineyard in Argentine soil. That was the beginning of this epic story, but it would take another two generations, and the taking of the reins by grandson Nicolás, for the Catenas to begin to realize some of that enormous early potential. An economist by training, Nicolás saw the potential for Mendoza to become a world-class destination for wine. And he envisioned Catena Zapata as its beating heart: the trend-setter, the standard-bearer. He has been relentless in pursuit of that exalted vision, combining a scientist's precision with an explorer's ambition. Today, grapes are sourced from six single varietal lots (Angélica, La Pirámide, Nicasia, Domingo, Adrianna, and Angélica Sur) of varying altitudes (some as high as nearly 5,000 feet) and terroirs in the majestic, high-altitude hills of Mendoza. His vintner and co-owner Laura Catena, a fourth-generation vintner, and Alejandro Vigil, their chief winemaker, are expert at creating blends of great body, complexity, and dimension, but that – and this is the part that is a lot harder than it looks – also drink smoothly and easily.
Our Tasting Notes: A marriage of technical excellence and soulful expression, but also of heft and finesse. Its nose is deep and compelling, full of truffles and smoke and earth, and its palate is marvelously rich and developed, not simply unfolding but rather building, and building. The finish is a thing of beauty, full of savor as well as energy, and persists long after you have set your glass down. An unqualified triumph.
Fun Fact: It was Robert Parker who launched Catena Zapata on its current trajectory, writing, of the 2004 vintage, "It strikes me as being Argentina's equivalent of a great vintage of Lafite-Rothschild."
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source directly from the estate, so you can be confident that your wine will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Don't hesitate to secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2024 (Dec. 21st - Mar. 20th, 2025). With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Monday, September 2nd, 2024.
