Nose of black fruits and earth - plums, blackberries, potting soil, mushrooms, and wet leaves. The palate attacks fairly strong and carries its moderate-plus alcohol seamlessly, then transitions to an elegant mid-palate with primarily earthy flavors, powdery moderate tannins, and a long and lovely finish. Outstanding with dry aged ribeye and veal Oscar.
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still an accurate description of my last note: dark red with brick rim - bright fruit nose (blueberries, cherries, raspberries) with undertones of chocolate and saddle leather - beautifully balanced full mouth of ripe fruit, soft tannins and good acidity - somewhat shorter finish than previously (10-15 sec) - this wine is drinking beautifully now, but it has the fruit and structure to easily last for another 10 years, hopefully with development of further complexity
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dark red with brick rim - bright fruit nose (blueberries, cherries, raspberries) with undertones of chocolate and saddle leather - beautifully balanced full mouth of ripe fruit, soft tannins and perfect acidity - long 30 second finish - this wine is drinking beautifully now, but it has the fruit and structure to easily last for another 10 years, hopefully with development of further complexity
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Decanted for 2-3 hours and this was just beautiful. Got better with more air. Left about 1/3 of the bottle in the cellar for the next night and it was even better. 93+
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Aroma: blueberry, undergrowth, old leather...like walking in an old musty library! Complex nose and on the palate...what a structure...evolved all evening long...quite smooth with big dark fruit...smoke and spices. Medium finish. Ready for my taste. Another gem from Catena. 93+
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Excellent wine. Very different than I expected. Raisin and rum spice all day. Watermelon and ripe cherry skin. weight medium, acid medium. Good feel of age on it. This wine was drinking very well.
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this is the best Malbec I have ever had. I had ~ 3 years ago (August 2013) and it was not in prime time.
I didn't take notes but we paired this with grilled skirt steak (similar to last tasting). Showed limited to no signs of aging in the color of the wine. palate and nose were also still fruit primary with the beginnings of some secondary characteristics. I would not be in a rush to drink this one. 93+
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Dark rich Malbec fruit with moderate acidity and smooth tannins. Upon opening this was nice but needed a good three hour decant to really shine. This needs a steak or should be just enjoyed alone.
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I like it. I was worried about the acidity getting too pronounced in 2012 but in 2015 this is singing. will hold for years, did not feel any hurry. Good balance, oak in check. Very nice.
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2.5 hour decant. I agree with the WS tasting note about black tea on the nose. Very interesting and enjoyable but there just wasn't enough fruit here to push this into outstanding territory. 89+
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Decanted for 2 hours and then served with grilled skirt steak - this wine needs some time. Didn't take good notes and it was enjoyable today but I'd hold for a few years if I had more. 92+ but don't have notes to support my opinion! More tannic and balanced than lower end Malbecs.
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Decanted for 4 hours. Very dark cherry color, thick legs. Cherry liquour on nose, candy, licorice, blue cheese. On palate this is powerful, full bodied, some astringency, noticiable tannins but quite pleasant, very well balanced, high acidity and a long finish. It improved in glass as time went by. This can be enjoyed with or without food and despite the alcohol and power it drinks so well. Certainly a must try wine for those who like new world, powerful yet styled wines. (92+)
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Double decanted, then a vibrant but alcoholic nose. After 10h nose of metallic raspberry, no alcohol bothering anymore. On the palate this is a very intense wine! High-toned fruit, surprisingly heavy (positive) yet silky texture. Tannins hiding nicely, acidity is huge but in check. Great wine. But how is it going to age - will the acidity become too much pronounced? Actually I am happy to find that out with my remaining stock. 2 years ago I scored Nicasia above Adrianna, now the opposite.
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Woooaaaah, easy now. This is quite a brute at the moment that needs old father time to come along and polish down the intensity a touch. Nostril tingling aromas - the alcohol is quite apparent here even through the mass of fruit that screams out of the glass. In the glass this slowly starts to open out but reallly this is all primary elements right now and the fruit is struggling to sing along in one note - rather it is like an orchestra tuning up before a concert - a mish mash of this and that all jumbling out without any coherence. Give it 10 years and this will probably sounds like a finely tuned violin (well, maybe a bass drum) but for now this needs to sleep and not be disturbed. Great potential.
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This Decanter man of the year did it so good. I prefer this wine than the blended 2006. Malbec is called " Black wine " so the color is very dark purple color. Hints of sweet oak combined with Malbec's scent. Warm and cool combination too. Full-bodied in an elegant side, round, delicious and smooth with linger long long finished. I would like to buy more bottles to wait and see how it's going.
As he declares, Zapata loves to make his wine to be as Lafite. I believe he can make it and if he has a chance to make wine in Burgundy, I really want to taste it very much. Great expert about toasted-oak indeed !!!
Drink now - 2025................93-96/100....................
ps. Once tasted Cab blended 2001 with Hillside 2001 few months ago, I prefer Zapata and go to buy it immediately.
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Tight, and completely locked down at a recent tasting. Seemed to have potential, as the palate showed some concentrated fruit flavors, and solid structure.
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I just told a friend I am becoming too attached to malbecs for my own good, but what is there to do about it when tasting wines like the 2006 Catena Zapata Adrianna Malbec? This wine delivers a bouquet of wet granite, warm arenite, boysenberries, light red strawberries and a somewhat burnt vanilla tone oak component which is nicely integrated. Just like the acidity, the tannins are elegant but eloquent: you certainly notice their presence. The mineral tones this wine delivers are amazing and I am impressed by this effort. (Day 2: acidity a bit more present, still a pleasure to drink.) Highly recommended. Read more about the 2006 Catena Zapata prestige malbecs here: http://miseenbouteille.blogspot.com/2010/11/viva-catena-zapata.html
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Pop & pour. Muted at first, yet balanced. With some air starts to develop. Crisp acidity abd not as full bodied as Nicasia. Oak in moderation, only notoicable on nose after 1,5h. The wine does not quite find the state I expect it would. Perhaps needs more time, 92 first day. Second day: has gained structure and the acidity has tamed some. Better wine now. Clear similarities to sangiovese with its sour cherry. Still prefer the 2004 Adrianna tasted last year, 93.
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Intense, more fruit driven than Nicasia. This is 5,000 feet of elevation, and the highest that they are pulling grapes off of. So here it is much more about sunlight intensity than heat. And there are x3 to x4 times the differenence of grape skin width. The sunlight is so intense that the grapes interpret as a sign of stress. They think malbec loves sunshine. Hence why it works in Argentina at high altitudes as opposed to bordeaux. Intense wine. Still tight finish.
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7/18/2022 - Bozekt Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nose of black fruits and earth - plums, blackberries, potting soil, mushrooms, and wet leaves. The palate attacks fairly strong and carries its moderate-plus alcohol seamlessly, then transitions to an elegant mid-palate with primarily earthy flavors, powdery moderate tannins, and a long and lovely finish. Outstanding with dry aged ribeye and veal Oscar.
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8/14/2020 - Verb Likes this wine: 93 Points
still an accurate description of my last note: dark red with brick rim - bright fruit nose (blueberries, cherries, raspberries) with undertones of chocolate and saddle leather - beautifully balanced full mouth of ripe fruit, soft tannins and good acidity - somewhat shorter finish than previously (10-15 sec) - this wine is drinking beautifully now, but it has the fruit and structure to easily last for another 10 years, hopefully with development of further complexity
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5/7/2020 - Verb Likes this wine: 94 Points
dark red with brick rim - bright fruit nose (blueberries, cherries, raspberries) with undertones of chocolate and saddle leather - beautifully balanced full mouth of ripe fruit, soft tannins and perfect acidity - long 30 second finish - this wine is drinking beautifully now, but it has the fruit and structure to easily last for another 10 years, hopefully with development of further complexity
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1/21/2019 - Uncle John wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for 2-3 hours and this was just beautiful. Got better with more air. Left about 1/3 of the bottle in the cellar for the next night and it was even better. 93+
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9/1/2018 - globulen wrote: 93 Points
Smoky, berries, jammy, delicious. Drink now.
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4/28/2018 - ChateauDutremble Likes this wine: 93 Points
Aroma: blueberry, undergrowth, old leather...like walking in an old musty library! Complex nose and on the palate...what a structure...evolved all evening long...quite smooth with big dark fruit...smoke and spices. Medium finish. Ready for my taste. Another gem from Catena. 93+
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4/26/2017 - Le Huy Likes this wine:
Really good wine to drink now..ripeness..oaky..dense
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9/18/2016 - RickyT12 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Excellent wine. Very different than I expected. Raisin and rum spice all day. Watermelon and ripe cherry skin.
weight medium, acid medium. Good feel of age on it. This wine was drinking very well.
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8/14/2016 - CWilliam wrote: 93 Points
this is the best Malbec I have ever had. I had ~ 3 years ago (August 2013) and it was not in prime time.
I didn't take notes but we paired this with grilled skirt steak (similar to last tasting). Showed limited to no signs of aging in the color of the wine. palate and nose were also still fruit primary with the beginnings of some secondary characteristics. I would not be in a rush to drink this one. 93+
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12/15/2015 - Uncle John wrote: 92 Points
Dark rich Malbec fruit with moderate acidity and smooth tannins. Upon opening this was nice but needed a good three hour decant to really shine. This needs a steak or should be just enjoyed alone.
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10/10/2015 - RussK wrote: 91 Points
Russk Parker's Matter of Taste at the Moore Bldg. Zapato seminar. Nice acidity, savoury / salty 91-points
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7/6/2015 - queen Likes this wine: 96 Points
absolutely delicious. Dark dark colour. Full bodied. Just what you expect from a good Malbec.
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2/15/2015 - Jojala Likes this wine: 94 Points
I like it. I was worried about the acidity getting too pronounced in 2012 but in 2015 this is singing. will hold for years, did not feel any hurry. Good balance, oak in check. Very nice.
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2/11/2015 - calodo2011 wrote: 91 Points
Maritana Grille - 2.11.2015
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1/4/2015 - Sethbo11 wrote: 90 Points
2.5 hour decant. I agree with the WS tasting note about black tea on the nose. Very interesting and enjoyable but there just wasn't enough fruit here to push this into outstanding territory. 89+
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11/9/2014 - Mascalese Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark as the night, black berries, vanilla, smooth as silk. wonderful
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10/4/2014 - jamie24 wrote: 88 Points
Not quite as good as I remember. Slightly vegetal? Maybe needs a bit more time so will revisit in a few years.
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2/3/2014 - ARA wrote:
- It's balanced with a full body. Narrow texture with a long finish.
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9/15/2013 - Bozekt wrote:
Acquired - did not drink, but only way to delete from wish list
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8/12/2013 - CWilliam wrote:
Decanted for 2 hours and then served with grilled skirt steak - this wine needs some time. Didn't take good notes and it was enjoyable today but I'd hold for a few years if I had more. 92+ but don't have notes to support my opinion! More tannic and balanced than lower end Malbecs.
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3/5/2013 - Montecristo13 wrote: 94 Points
Excellent wine, an outstanding Malbec
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1/18/2013 - jwongham wrote: 91 Points
Too early to drink. A blockbuster.
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4/5/2012 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine: 97 Points
Fantastic as always, buy more. Rocked my socks.
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3/22/2012 - Periko wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for 4 hours. Very dark cherry color, thick legs. Cherry liquour on nose, candy, licorice, blue cheese. On palate this is powerful, full bodied, some astringency, noticiable tannins but quite pleasant, very well balanced, high acidity and a long finish. It improved in glass as time went by. This can be enjoyed with or without food and despite the alcohol and power it drinks so well. Certainly a must try wine for those who like new world, powerful yet styled wines. (92+)
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1/6/2012 - Jojala wrote: 95 Points
Double decanted, then a vibrant but alcoholic nose. After 10h nose of metallic raspberry, no alcohol bothering anymore. On the palate this is a very intense wine! High-toned fruit, surprisingly heavy (positive) yet silky texture. Tannins hiding nicely, acidity is huge but in check. Great wine. But how is it going to age - will the acidity become too much pronounced? Actually I am happy to find that out with my remaining stock. 2 years ago I scored Nicasia above Adrianna, now the opposite.
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9/16/2011 - bugdoced wrote: 92 Points
well balanced with years to go if you can wait
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1/27/2011 - pjaines wrote:
Woooaaaah, easy now. This is quite a brute at the moment that needs old father time to come along and polish down the intensity a touch. Nostril tingling aromas - the alcohol is quite apparent here even through the mass of fruit that screams out of the glass. In the glass this slowly starts to open out but reallly this is all primary elements right now and the fruit is struggling to sing along in one note - rather it is like an orchestra tuning up before a concert - a mish mash of this and that all jumbling out without any coherence. Give it 10 years and this will probably sounds like a finely tuned violin (well, maybe a bass drum) but for now this needs to sleep and not be disturbed. Great potential.
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12/29/2010 - noppakit s. wrote: 93 Points
Opened 7-8 hours before drinking.
This Decanter man of the year did it so good. I prefer this wine than the blended 2006.
Malbec is called " Black wine " so the color is very dark purple color. Hints of sweet oak combined with Malbec's scent. Warm and cool combination too. Full-bodied in an elegant side, round, delicious and smooth with linger long long finished.
I would like to buy more bottles to wait and see how it's going.
As he declares, Zapata loves to make his wine to be as Lafite. I believe he can make it and if he has a chance to make wine in Burgundy, I really want to taste it very much. Great expert about toasted-oak indeed !!!
Drink now - 2025................93-96/100....................
ps. Once tasted Cab blended 2001 with Hillside 2001 few months ago, I prefer Zapata and go to buy it immediately.
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11/9/2010 - wino_tim wrote:
Tight, and completely locked down at a recent tasting. Seemed to have potential, as the palate showed some concentrated fruit flavors, and solid structure.
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11/3/2010 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine: 93 Points
I just told a friend I am becoming too attached to malbecs for my own good, but what is there to do about it when tasting wines like the 2006 Catena Zapata Adrianna Malbec? This wine delivers a bouquet of wet granite, warm arenite, boysenberries, light red strawberries and a somewhat burnt vanilla tone oak component which is nicely integrated. Just like the acidity, the tannins are elegant but eloquent: you certainly notice their presence. The mineral tones this wine delivers are amazing and I am impressed by this effort. (Day 2: acidity a bit more present, still a pleasure to drink.) Highly recommended. Read more about the 2006 Catena Zapata prestige malbecs here: http://miseenbouteille.blogspot.com/2010/11/viva-catena-zapata.html
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12/20/2009 - Jojala wrote: 93 Points
Pop & pour. Muted at first, yet balanced. With some air starts to develop. Crisp acidity abd not as full bodied as Nicasia. Oak in moderation, only notoicable on nose after 1,5h. The wine does not quite find the state I expect it would. Perhaps needs more time, 92 first day. Second day: has gained structure and the acidity has tamed some. Better wine now. Clear similarities to sangiovese with its sour cherry. Still prefer the 2004 Adrianna tasted last year, 93.
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9/22/2009 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Intense, more fruit driven than Nicasia. This is 5,000 feet of elevation, and the highest that they are pulling grapes off of. So here it is much more about sunlight intensity than heat. And there are x3 to x4 times the differenence of grape skin width. The sunlight is so intense that the grapes interpret as a sign of stress. They think malbec loves sunshine. Hence why it works in Argentina at high altitudes as opposed to bordeaux. Intense wine. Still tight finish.
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