Classy subtle oak. Moderate acidity. Beautiful balance and richness — 8 years ago
Love this Syrah. Nice long finish on this one. Young but still fairly smooth. — 9 years ago
Amazing taste, a little oak-like finish. I don't taste the grapefruit like I do with other Sauvignon blanc from this region — 11 years ago
Needs decanting — 11 years ago
A Coravin taste of this bottle to celebrate our departure to South America. We will be at Catena Zapata on the morning of 23rd...can’t think of a better way to start the day in Mendoza. When I first put this wine to my nose, I experienced vanilla milkshake with a touch of root beer after a 40 minute decant in glass. Strong vanillin notes, dark sweet currants, ripe blackberries, blueberries, sweet dark cherries, slightly underripe black raspberries, black plums, melted dark chocolate, mocha chocolate, touch of pepper, loamy soil & dry clay, violets fields for days and decayed red florals. One of the most engaging noses I’ve experienced in some time.
The body is thick, full and lush and feels like a velvety glove on the tongue. The tannins are still big, yet well rounded & powdery. The palate is beautiful. Dark ripe currants, blackberries, blueberries, black cherries, black raspberries, black plums & creamy raspberries. Amazing florals, lavender, violets and decayed red florals. Vanilla, root beer, dry clay, loamy soils, round powdery volcanic minerals with a slight edginess, dry stems, dry stones, coffee grounds, notes of pepper, sweet tarry notes, leather, tobacco, soft elegant spice, dry stems, very round beautiful acidity, solid structure, big length, perfect tension and rounded balance. The rich, ripe, ruby, candied, fruit, bright floral finish is so close to perfect it boggles the mind and last for minutes. Beautiful wine that I can’t wait to try again in 8-10 years and drink until 2035. Best wine I’ve had in some time and the best Malbec I’ve had to date.
Photos of; Catena Zapata with the beautiful snow capped Andes Mountains in the background, a shot of the Adrianna vineyard soil this wine is grown, Owners Laura Catena Zapata and Nicolás Catena Zapata and their spotless barrel room. — 8 years ago

Smooth and spicy. Great with a steak and chimichurri Sauce. Affordable. Dark currant and tobacco. Let it breathe. — 10 years ago
Wow and it's an '11! — 10 years ago
Ripe cassis and black berry with bitter chocolate and hints of green pepper. The palette here is nicely balanced between plump cassis, stones, and spice. Well made with excellent integration. Excellent now, better in 8-10 years. — 11 years ago
Aussie Skin Contact Savagnin! — 8 years ago
Ah, the Rocks at Milton-Freewater produce such remarkable and distinctive fruit. Morgan Lee’s take on the Stoney Vine Syrah is outstanding. Earthy, gamey, succulent, dark and full stone fruit (plum) that just keeps going. This is good for another 5 years I think. — 8 years ago
Coffee, olive, vanilla, pepper. Bitter finish but still incredibly complex. — 10 years ago
This is one great wine. Day one was strong fennel smell and flavor. Dry, very smooth. Fennel toned down second day with nice dry fruit. A real treat. — 10 years ago
Mike Saviage

Medium gold color. Nice energy and bubble intensity. Notes of lemon, stones, crisp red apples. Expansive in the mouth. Toasty. More developed and complex than the 96 next to it. BDay dinner 1/12. — 8 years ago