Nicolás Catena Zapata
A LEGEND BECAUSE...
It was Nicolás Catena who thrust Argentinian wine into the modern era. A widely travelled academic economist, he learned from his exposure in the 1970s both to great Bordeaux and the huge promise of Napa wines. In the early 1980s, Catena agreed the key was to plant the right varieties in the right location, specifically cooler, higher sites.
Decanter Wine Legend
The Family
Introduce Our Fine Wine
"The 2015 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino blends grapes from… old vines. The label shows the history of Malbec with four relevant women (including Madame Phylloxera!) from the 12th century to the rebirth in the 20th century. This is a new blend to break the tendency of so many single-vineyard bottlings and goes back to the blending traditions of the past. It shows really well—expressive, open and ready."
.png){kind=logo}
Malbec Timeline
The History of Argentine Malbec
Known from the time of the Roman Empire more than 2000 years ago.
Introduced in Argentina
in the 1850's
Malbec is a very delicate, late ripening variety. It is very delicate to cold weather and lack of sunshine. This is why it adapts so well to Mendoza’s sunny, dry weather.
Malbec Renaissance in the 1990’s by Nicolás Catena Zapata and his Catena Argentine Malbec.
Became famous in the Middle Ages during Queen Eleanor's Court Of Loves.
In the 18th and early 19th Centuries, Malbec was the most widely planted variety in the Médoc, Bordeaux, home to the Grand Crus; even more widely planted than Cabernet Sauvignon.
After the Phylloxera Epidemic in the 1870's which devastated vineyards across Europe, Malbec practically disappeared from France. It was mostly replaced by Merlot, as it ripened earlier.
The Catena Cuttings:
First selection of pre-phylloxeric Malbec vines at the Catena Institute of Wine, founded by Laura Catena.
Design by Stranger & Stranger, artwork by Rick Shaefer
The epic tale of the noble Malbec grape is like no other, and the label for Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino pays tribute to the variety’s history in France and its rise in Argentina. Four female figures embody different landmarks in the history of the grape.
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Eleanor of Aquitaine represents the birth of Malbec. She is a strong, Old World presence, lingering at the bridge in Cahors, where Malbec came into its own.
The Immigrant
Next, the Immigrant symbolizes the movement to the New World and the unknown explorers and adventurers who connected Europe with the Americas.
Madame Phylloxera
Phylloxera personifies the death of Malbec in the Old World, which enabled its rebirth in the new.
Adrianna Catena
Finally, there is Bodega Catena Zapata, represented by Adrianna Catena, who depicts birth, earth, and motherhood, sharing the riches of the New World.
Today, the Catena family’s fourth generation leads the high-altitude renaissance in Argentina.
We are returning Malbec to the sky... where it belongs.
The Wine Shop
Wholly Owned By Giant Estates Sdn. Bhd.
Company No. 199601024785 (397137-V)
​
The Wine Shop (Pulau Tikus)
11A & 15, Lintang Burmah,
10250 Penang, Malaysia
Tel : +604-226 1824
The Wine Shop (Bayan Lepas)
60G & 62G, Persiaran Mahsuri 2,
11950 Penang, Malaysia
Tel : +604-611 1885
​
The Wine Shop (Tanjung Bungah)
1K, Sungai Kelian, Tanjung Bungah,
11200 Penang, Malaysia
Tel : +604-890 2227
​
The Wine Shop Signature (Tanjung Bungah)
1l, Jalan Sungai Kelian
11200 Tanjung Bungah,
Penang, Malaysia
Tel : +6016-323 2985