Last but not least, Carena #3 of 3!

You already know this vineyard. You met it in Nicolás earlier today. You saw what it does alongside Adrianna.

Now Nicasia steps forward alone. And it does not hold back. Hulk… step aside.

More than $80 under retail?! Goes for the full $160 elsewhere. We’ve got it at $79. For one of the top single-site Malbecs on the planet…

The critics noticed too. With 97 points and double the 96s.

Our take. This is the steak lover’s wine. No steak? A beautifully roasted butternut squash stuffed with wild mushrooms and sage holds its own here, too.

Dark and concentrated on the nose with black and blue fruit, cassis, crushed plum, and blackcurrant, layered with black olive, wet slate, dark roasted coffee, and just enough warm baking spice to keep things interesting. The palate is muscular and full-bodied, rich and plush, with a velvety texture and voluminous presence filling every corner of our glasses and our palates. The tannins are precise and structured, powerful but never aggressive. A fresh mineral backbone and bright acidity keep everything alive and in perfect balance. The finish is long, refined, and polished. The kind of Malbec that makes you put the glass down and just think for a second… hmm.

Now, while you are pondering that, the vineyard has a very heartwarming story. Albeit an oxymoron moment, but still…very sweet This vineyard is named after Laura Catena’s great-grandmother, Nicasia. The most loving person Laura has ever known. All hugs and all warmth, (reminds me of a few of our agents y’all write about) - Name that AGENT. And yet the vineyard that bears her name is the most powerful, muscular and concentrated in the entire Catena single vineyard lineup. Total Opposites.

3,593 feet. Paraje Altamira. Planted in 1996. 30-year-old vines are pushing roots deep into gravel and dry riverbed subsoil for every drop of moisture and mineral they can find. Aged up to 21 months in used French oak foudres and in cement. Alejandro Vigil’s vessels of choice. No new oak showing off here. The wood knows its place here. Nicasia has something to say!

Better than half priced. Clear some cellar space. Light the Kamado, pour generously, and share it with someone who gets it.

Mission complete. All three drops. All three files. Stay dangerous.

97 Points – Vinous “Catena Zapata is the quintessential ambassador of Argentine wine on the international stage. Today, Laura Catena, Nicolás’s daughter, leads the operation with a distinguished team, including Alejandro Vigil in the winery and Fernando Buscema at the Catena Institute of Wine. Together, they take a science-driven approach, crafting renowned parcel wines that embody the unique character of high-elevation viticulture. The 2022 Malbec Nicasia Vineyard was sourced from Paraje Altamira and aged for up to 21 months in oak barrels. Aromas of violets and lavender blend with cassis and intense blue fruit notes. Delicate yet juicy with a plush texture, it shows fine oak integration. It’s precise in its fruit expression, finishing long with refined structure and a polished impression. The fresh, dry 2022 vintage lends additional nuance to this delicious wine. Compared to Catena Zapata’s single-vineyard wines, Nicasia typically receives less attention, but this is a distinctive, captivating Malbec in and of itself. Drink 2025-2045.”

96 Points – James Suckling “This is concentrated, with dense dark fruit. The nose shows blue fruit, tar and tapenade. The palate is juicy and medium- to full-bodied, with delineated concentration, dark fruit flavors and voluminous presence balanced by precise tannins. Drink now.”

96 Points – Descorchados “Nicasia is the second of the vineyards that Catena began to plant in the Uco Valley, after Adrianna, in Gualtallary. It is located more than 1,100 meters above sea level in Altamira, always near the foothills of the Andes. And just like Adrianna, it was planted with material selected by the winery from its original vineyards in Maipú, in the second half of the 1990s. This red from a selection of parcels that have produced a muscular wine with succulent tannins and sweet, ripe flavors. The acidity is friendly, but it has enough energy to refresh and provide balance.”