March 3, 2024 - Like an aged Saint-Émilion...and still going.
Aromas of rubber, pine needles, spices...clove, saddle leather, mixed with floral and vegetal notes, and a hint of citrus peels. Balanced, supple and ripe with a distinctive dried pot-pourri/band-aid smell. Dry tannins but fine. Opulent and complexe with a long edgy finish. Impressive and can easily see the 20 year mark. 91+
February 3, 2024 - High hopes for this wine initially. Found it a bit tired after opening and tasting. Aromatics indicated a mature a wine, but a muted nose. A little brined pork scent from the glass. Not off putting just a savory component. Nice balance of mature fruit, alcohol, acidity. Definitely think the peak has past so drink up!
December 26, 2023 - Really really good wine. Love AR cab in the blend. A bit tight upon open. Brief decant and ready to go. Minty earth, tobacco. Still great fruit. Perfect with beef tenderloin!
October 12, 2023 - This bottle showed better fruit and balance than my first bottle. I really enjoyed this one. DO not cellar this wine any longer....it is in its peak.
September 24, 2023 - 2007 Catena Zapata Nicolas
Cellared since release:
PNP dinner 9/23/2023
Deep purple to the rim. Subtle nose of fruit. This is a young, big, fruit driven, very structured wine with firm but not obtrusive tannin, with a 30 second finish. There is no tertiary development yet. The Nicolas blend of 70% Cabernet, 20% Malbec and equal parts of Petit Verdot and Cab Franc is always nice.
This is one of my favorite big reds. It never disappoints.
The 2007 has 15 to 20 years of enjoyable drinking ahead.
94 Points
August 19, 2023 - Consistent with previous notes. Still youthful.
July 20, 2023 - Barely making it but making it.....most of its fruit is gone but still enjoyable with grilled rib eye...honestly I was expecting more this winery but....still ok.
June 10, 2023 - Alas my last bottle, but it’s drinking very well now. Had with tomahawk steaks in KV. Was the tables choice. Primary fruits peaking, but a good amount of secondary there. Cigar box, black fruit Soft tannins. Bottle too heavy though
August 3, 2022 - Sharp blackberry and cassis, with bitter herbal, loamy, olive overtones, the fruit gradually becoming more lush as it opened. Nonetheless, it never develops the sweetness the plush mouthfeel would suggest. Very drily tannic from first to last sip. A wine of sharp contrasts and unexpected twists.
June 5, 2022 - Drinking really well now. Decanted & enjoyed over 8 hours. The wine continued to improve with time, last glass was the best glass. Great balance, robust dark fruit flavors with a long finish & drying tannins on the back end. One bottle left - I will hold to 2027 given the tannins referenced indicates some cellar life.