Bodega Catena Zapata

Estiba Reservada Agrelo Malbec Blend

9.457 ratings
9.417 pro ratings
Agrelo, Mendoza, Cuyo, Argentina
Malbec Blend
Top Notes For
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

This bottle is now part of the Don Julio wine bottle ring of honor. Noted and signed by the two of us.

On the nose; burnt ambers, incense, touch of charcoal, ruby dark currants. Ripe, deep, ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, some black plum & plum, black cherry cola, light vanilla & cinnamon, caramel, soft spice, tarry notes, some black licorice, rich loamy soil & clay with dark red florals & violets.

On the palate; the body is full. The tannins are still a little thick and dry. The wine is gorgeous & elegant now that it’s opened up. Ruby dark currants. Ripe, deep, ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, some black plum & plum & some cherry & strawberries on the longer set, black cherry cola, black raspberries liqueur notes, light vanilla & cinnamon, caramel, soft spice, some black licorice, hint of burnt ambers, sweet tarry notes, just a touch of charcoal, graphite, dry loamy soil & clay, dry dark soils, grey minerals, with dark red florals & violets. The acidity is round and beautiful. The wine is starting to hit its groove. The texture, balance, length and tension are lovely but will continue to evolve for another 8-10 years. The long finish is; beautiful, elegant, sexy and lasts minutes.

The wine really dropped some of its minerality on the last glass after nearly two hours in the decanter.

Photos of, one of, if not the best Steakhouse in Buenos Aires, Don Julio. Our signed bottle, now famed, sitting above the center bar. My ribeye 🥩 and the cooks grilling steaks directly behind the bar.

We left at 11:30p and there were still people waiting outside to be seated for dinner.

This bottle is now part of the Don Julio wine bottle ring of honor. Noted and signed by the two of us.

On the nose; burnt ambers, incense, touch of charcoal, ruby dark currants. Ripe, deep, ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, some black plum & plum, black cherry cola, light vanilla & cinnamon, caramel, soft spice, tarry notes, some black licorice, rich loamy soil & clay with dark red florals & violets.

On the palate; the body is full. The tannins are still a little thick and dry. The wine is gorgeous & elegant now that it’s opened up. Ruby dark currants. Ripe, deep, ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, some black plum & plum & some cherry & strawberries on the longer set, black cherry cola, black raspberries liqueur notes, light vanilla & cinnamon, caramel, soft spice, some black licorice, hint of burnt ambers, sweet tarry notes, just a touch of charcoal, graphite, dry loamy soil & clay, dry dark soils, grey minerals, with dark red florals & violets. The acidity is round and beautiful. The wine is starting to hit its groove. The texture, balance, length and tension are lovely but will continue to evolve for another 8-10 years. The long finish is; beautiful, elegant, sexy and lasts minutes.

The wine really dropped some of its minerality on the last glass after nearly two hours in the decanter.

Photos of, one of, if not the best Steakhouse in Buenos Aires, Don Julio. Our signed bottle, now famed, sitting above the center bar. My ribeye 🥩 and the cooks grilling steaks directly behind the bar.

We left at 11:30p and there were still people waiting outside to be seated for dinner.

Apr 29th, 2018
Sean Xiao

Sean had this 10 years ago

Sean had this 10 years ago

2 people found it helpfulSep 1st, 2014
Jorge Liloy

Jorge had this 10 years ago

Jorge had this 10 years ago

1 person found it helpfulAug 8th, 2014
Kyle Volluz

Excellent now but wait 5 years.

Excellent now but wait 5 years.

1 person found it helpfulJan 28th, 2014
Florencia Palmaz

Owner Palmaz Winery

9.7

Fin perfecto del noche!

Fin perfecto del noche!

1 person found it helpfulFeb 5th, 2013
BurgundyFan

14 years old and I believe it can evolve another 14 years. One of the best red wines from the Southern Hemisphere

14 years old and I believe it can evolve another 14 years. One of the best red wines from the Southern Hemisphere

Feb 5th, 2017
Jim Anderson

Tasted blind and thought it was a 10+ BdM or SuperTuscan.

Tasted blind and thought it was a 10+ BdM or SuperTuscan.

Jul 25th, 2015
Alexandre Lalas

This is a Wine who wants to be one of the tops. It's a good red indeed. But too big for me. It's over in the end.

This is a Wine who wants to be one of the tops. It's a good red indeed. But too big for me. It's over in the end.

Dec 28th, 2013
Randy Fillingim

Wow. Tannins and fruits doing their job in near perfect harmony. A wonderful experience with this Argentina classic. 

Wow. Tannins and fruits doing their job in near perfect harmony. A wonderful experience with this Argentina classic. 

May 7th, 2021
Mono Head

A Very nice crisp red. It is quite the drinking age. A little dark finish. Dark berries. Well balanced. Quite delicious. I really enjoyed this. A little bit of bell peppers.

A Very nice crisp red. It is quite the drinking age. A little dark finish. Dark berries. Well balanced. Quite delicious. I really enjoyed this. A little bit of bell peppers.

Nov 9th, 2018