2015 Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard Altamira Malbec

Enormously spicy with a dense tannin structure that makes this malbec spectacular and slightly erotic, too. A breathtakingly long finish that makes you want more. The balance of this is so good that you can drink it right now and if you can resist it then this probably has a couple of decades of ageing potential.

I also tasted the 2015 Malbec Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard, which had been in bottle since July 2017. 2015 is a warmer and riper year within the three consecutive cooler El Niño vintages. It's juicy, showy and round, with moderate acidity (relatively speaking). 12,480 bottles produced. 2018 - 2022.

This won't come out until later this year, as Catena are still on the 2014 vintage (reviewed above), but it needs a little more time anyway. Sage and oregano aromas segue into a palate of blackberry and dark plums framed by supple tannins. 2020-28.

Bright medium ruby. Blackberry, licorice and violet on the nose. Far tighter and less sweet than the 2014 version; a more minerally and linear version of Malbec that lacks the expansiveness of the '14. Finishes with a firm edge of tannins and terrific length. A bit less ripe--and more green--than the 2014, with tighter tannins. A bit of a question mark owing to its serious tannic spine, this wine would appear to offer excellent potential longevity but it will require patience