Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

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

Robert Smith

9.1

Smooth and spicy. Great with a steak and chimichurri Sauce. Affordable. Dark currant and tobacco. Let it breathe. — 9 years ago

Gerald Montoya

9.1

In a very savory place. Green pepper, black pepper, ash and stones. Not a whole lot of fruit at the moment except maybe a touch of underripe raspberry. — 10 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Not quite as sensational as our bottle in February due to storage differences. Cooked fruit of; rhubarb, raspberries, strawberries, dusty crush stones, leather, dark vanilla barrel toast, black earth and pebbles, black tea, hint of mushroom. Finishes soft and elegant with just a touch of funk. Hope you all enjoyed Christmas!!! — 10 years ago

Justin Madol

9.0

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

Austin Beeman

9.1

A spicy stony nose of red fruit. Rich and delicious fruit jelly with ultra ripe blackberry. Mint herbs and stones. $90 — 12 years ago

with Jim

Galen Hasler

9.2

Classy subtle oak. Moderate acidity. Beautiful balance and richness — 8 years ago

Chris England

9.3

Off year Pape Clement @ £76 but one of the best in 07 😁 & drinking lovely today 👍

🍇 51% Cab S, 46% Mer, 2% Pet V & 1% Cab F

🍷 Opaque ruby

👃 Flinty mineral & gravel stones oozing through crushed pencil lead in dirty blackcurrant & dark mashed plum w/ soggy earth, farmyard & soft oak

👄 Med body of rich ripe blackcurrant & dark plum in earthy mocha & liquorice infused with crushed mineral rocks

🎯 Med+ dirty dark fruits surrounded with mocha, liquorice & minerals — 8 years ago

Sarah Milsow-Guenther

9.4

Love this Syrah. Nice long finish on this one. Young but still fairly smooth. — 9 years ago

Christopher Stadler

9.4

Coffee, olive, vanilla, pepper. Bitter finish but still incredibly complex. — 9 years ago

Rich Cocuzzo

9.0

Wow and it's an '11! — 10 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.6

Light to med gold in the glass. Apricot and honeysuckle in the nose with stones. Huge in the mouth. Very rich. Best Niellon I've had. — 11 years ago

Semyon Nebolsín

8.9

Needs decanting — 11 years ago

Justin Hart

9.4

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

with Cherish and Jen

Rob Sternthal

9.5

2011 what???? Wow. From the nose to the finish this is a phenomenal wine. — 9 years ago

with Daniel

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Darker and more exacted for a typical a LB. Ripe blackberries, dark cherries, big strawberry finish, dusty brown soil, dry stones, leather, steeped tea, coffee grounds, nice acidity and delicious finish. — 9 years ago

Mike Wolf

9.2

Outstanding Bordeaux blend from the relatively unknown Similkameen valley in BC. Dark fruits and an interesting underlying smokiness that lasts in the mouth. Drinking nicely now and will stand up to a few more years in the cellar. — 9 years ago

with Jennifer

Denise Furtick

9.0

Amazing taste, a little oak-like finish. I don't taste the grapefruit like I do with other Sauvignon blanc from this region — 10 years ago

Ira Schwartz

9.2

Slow to open but when it does you know you have your nose in a glass containing Chablis. Lovely combination of lemons and stones. Could use a little more acid but definitely not clumsy. All about minerals and chalk in the mouth. — 11 years ago

Lynn Penner-Ash

Owner/Winemaker Penner-Ash

8.9

Balanced. Good fruit density and structure — 11 years ago