The flagship wines begin with the purple/black-colored 2005 Nicolas Catena Zapata, a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Malbec. The fruit was sourced from four of the estate?s finest high-elevation vineyards, and aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak. The brooding bouquet delivers pain grille, mineral, violet, scorched earth, pepper, espresso, black cherry, and black raspberry aromas leading to a dense, opulent wine with gobs of savory fruit, ripe tannins, terrific concentration, and a 60-second finish. Allow it 6-8 years in the cellar to reveal its full potential and enjoy it from 2015 to 2030.

Full ruby. Superripe aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate and licorice, enlivened by minerals, violet, pepper and herbs. Then penetrating, sharply delineated and impressively concentrated, with a serious backbone supporting its very fresh currant and mineral flavors. This strikes me as less exotic and porty than the 2004 version, not to mention less exotic than the 2005 Nicasia Vineyard bottling. Still a tad tight in the middle, but the vibrant, echoing finish suggests that this wine will have ...

Rating: 89/100 - As reviewed by Wine & Spirits Magazine on 02/09.

Rating: 94/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator on 06/02/2010.

Rating for Argentina: 93 (average year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: too young, let it sit<br/>

nice smoke, smooth