Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Catena Zapata
Label Name:
 
Estiba Reservada
Vintage:
 
2017
Country:
 
Argentina
Region:
 
Mendoza (Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo; some lots from Adrianna/Gualtallary, Uco Valley)
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
14%
Grape(s):
 
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Method:
 
Hand-harvested Zapata-selected plants; ~28 days skin maceration; fermented with selected yeasts; matured ~18 months in 100% new French oak barrels.
Acidity:
 
3
Tannins:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
5
Length:
 
4
Aroma Intensity:
 
5
Best Temperature:
 
16-18
Tasting Note:
 
Deep violet with ruby hues. Intense aromas of ripe cassis, cedar, tobacco, mint, eucalyptus and sweet spice. Concentrated palate of red and black fruit, black pepper, vanilla and toasted oak; long, elegant finish with round, silky tannins.
Food Pairing:
 
Grilled ribeye, roast lamb, braised short ribs, aged cheeses and Argentine asado; Asian pairings: Korean BBQ (bulgogi), char siu or teriyaki-grilled beef, Sichuan-style beef, mushroom-based stir-fries.
Vineyard Info:
 
Catena Zapata, a pioneering Mendoza family estate (Nicolás Catena), focuses on high-altitude parcels and clonal selection. Estiba Reservada is a historic 'Zapata' parcel selection; Alejandro Vigil oversees winemaking.
Awards/Ratings:
 
Critically well-regarded: James Suckling ~95–96, Robert Parker / The Wine Advocate ~95; Wine Spectator in the low-90s. Frequently cited for long aging potential (15–20 years) and listed as Catena's historic parcel/‘Parcelas Históricas’ bottling