Nicasia 2020

Located in the heart of the Uco Valley, in the Mendoza region of Argentina, the Catena Zapata Nicasia vineyard is nestled at high altitude near La Consulta, in the San Carlos district. The vines benefit from a continental climate characterized by significant thermal amplitude and intense Andean sunlight. The alluvial soils, composed of well-drained pebbles, sand, and silt, promote slow and complete grape ripening. This mountainous terroir, swept by cool winds, helps preserve a beautiful natural acidity and a great purity of fruit expression.

Originating from the Nicasia vineyard, this wine is made from grapes harvested manually, carefully sorted in the vineyard and then in the winery. Fermentation takes place in tanks with prolonged maceration to extract color, structure, and aromatic complexity, favoring gentle pump-overs to preserve the elegance of the fruit. Aging then occurs in oak barrels, a significant proportion of which are new, for a long period, to refine the tannins, bring spicy notes, and support the aging potential.

This wine reveals notes of blackberry, black cherry, and plum, complemented by floral touches of violet and dried flowers. Spicy nuances of black pepper and clove mingle with an elegant oakiness marked by cedar and vanilla. On the palate, the texture is ample and concentrated, supported by fine yet structured tannins, a fresh acidity that lengthens the tasting, and a persistent finish with hints of cocoa and sweet tobacco.

Although Argentina is often considered part of the "New World," its winemaking tradition is much older than one might think, dating back to the Spanish colonization of the 16th century and later to Italian settlers. Unlike Chile, wine has long been an integral part of the country's culture. No other wine-producing country in the world made more progress in the latter years of the 20th century (in viticulture, oenology, and, of course, finance), which allowed the country's winemakers to raise quality levels and successfully establish an international export market. Argentina is now the fifth largest wine-producing country in the world, after France, Italy, Spain, and the United States. Viticulture is practiced primarily in the foothills of the Andes, particularly in Mendoza, where the desert landscapes and high altitudes combine to create aromatic and intensely flavorful wines. Some vineyards are even planted at altitudes of up to 3,000 meters! The terroir here is well-suited to the grape variety adopted by Argentina: the ubiquitous Malbec. Originally from Bordeaux, it is now the source of some of Argentina's most famous wines, characterized by their brilliance and intensity, with floral notes and dark fruit flavors. Other red varieties produced in Argentina include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bonarda, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Pinot Noir. Among white wines, the emblematic grape of the Argentine wine region is Torrontés, which yields a wine with a floral and tropical taste. The country also produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio. Today, Argentine wines are recognized worldwide for their full-bodied reds and as being of high quality.