Double the 98 points from each side of the Atlantic. A steal at $125, but at how much today?!

Forgive us, for skipping a couple of vintages of this, we were distracted by other Catena showstoppers. Argentina’s impressive World Cup victory reminded us to revisit arguably the most important wine that defines them as a wine nation.

Vinous recognizes Nicolás’ legacy best: “If there’s a single winery that embodies the international expansion of Argentine wine, it’s Catena Zapata. In the 1980s, the third generation of the family, led by Nicolás Catena Zapata, set out to make a name for themselves in markets outside of Argentina, where the family winery had grown to be one of the biggest in the 1970s. After selling off their mass-market brands, Nicolás focused on building a portfolio of wines to compete with the best in the world. He thus embarked upon a vineyard planting program higher up in the mountains in search of cooler climates: firstly, in Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, with the La Pirámide vineyard, then in Villa Bastías with Domingo and Gualtallary with Adrianna, both in Tupungato, and subsequently in Paraje Altamira with Nicasia, just to mention the most famous. Today the most visible face of the winery is Laura Catena, Nicolás’ daughter, who leads a distinguished team of experts including Alejandro Vigil and his team at the winery, and Fernando Buscema and his team at the Catena Institute of Wine.”

The inaugural 1997 vintage of Nicolás was put up in a series of blind tastings held in the USA and Europe against Latour, Haut-Brion, Solaia, Caymus, and Opus One when it came in either 1st or 2nd place in every flight.

The wine? “Argentina’s equivalent of a great vintage of Lafite-Rothschild” says Robert Parker, the man who put Bordeaux in the modern limelight, ranking this wine 4th place globally, with all other wines in the top 10 ranging from $300-$15,000 a bottle. You saw our price, right?

98 Points – Tim Atkin MW

“Right up there with the best-ever vintages of this Argentinian icon, the 2019 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec also includes a record 28% Cabernet Franc. Combining fruit from Gualtallary and Paraje Altamira, it’s refined, graceful and nuanced, with stylish oak, the acidity and structure to age, black cherry, cassis and blackcurrant leaf flavours and detailed, fine-boned tannins. A world-class red.”

98 Points – James Suckling

“This has a complex nose of baked blackberries, grilled plums, dried earth, moss, pine cones, sandalwood, charcoal and cloves. It’s medium-bodied with firm, tightly knit tannins. Wow. So much going on. Layered, seamless and silky. Incredible length. Keeps going. 42% cabernet sauvignon, 30% malbec and 28% cabernet franc. Try this from 2024.”