Mendoza

World Wine –

James Suckling – Very deep and dark with enormous concentration but also a lot of finesse. There’s some toast and chocolate from oak, as well as great freshness. Stunning harmony and a very long finish that tells a totally fascinating story. A blend of 73% cabernet sauvignon and 27% malbec. Drink in 2020.

Decanter – Made with the fruit from three vineyards: La Pirámide in Agrelo, Adrianna in Gualtallary, and Nicasia in Altamira. It has a ripe nose of black cherry and dark chocolate, with fine-grained tannins on a mineral-drenched mid-palate and notes of cocoa nib and violets. An elegant finish. Drinking Window 2021 - 2035 TA94Tim Atkin

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – Named after the winery's owner, the 2014 Nicolas Catena Zapata is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec that has been produced since 1997. They use grapes from Nicasia, Adrianna and La Piramide vineyards, mixing grapes from Valle de Uco and Lujan de Cuyo. The blend varies slightly with the year, and in 2014 it is 73% Cabernet and 27% Malbec. It fermented in 225- and 500-liter oak barrels and saw 24 months in barrique. It has developed aromas and feels polished while showing elegance and very classical proportions.

World Wine – Gran Reserva Malbec 2009: 100 Pts. - Wilfred Wong ‘Wine of the Year’

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – "The balsamic and showy 2017 Chardonnay is a blend of three vineyards, one small plot from Agrelo (less than 10% of the volume, as it's no more than four hectares), another one from Villa Bastías from the Tupungato department and a third one in Gualtallary, also in Tupungato in the Valle de Uco. Vinified, aged separately and blended before bottling, 15% of the volume goes through malolactic in oak barrels where it also matured for one year while the rest was kept in stainless steel. It has a mixture of yellow fruit and subtle oak keeping a core of white fruit and flowers. This follows the style of the 2014--medium-bodied with some chalky tannins that provide a chalky texture and a supple finish."

James Suckling – This is a layered and dense Bones with lots of ripe pineapple and mango character. Fresh Thai basil, too. Full body, juicy and ripe fruit and a fantastic finish. Typically generous and flamboyant. Release in October 2018. Drink now.

Decanter – Extraordinary quality that rivals many grand cru Chablis. This is an intense, focused Chardonnay sourced from a 2-hectare site, growing on limestone-rich soils located at 1,450m altitude. Great structure, laser-like focus, purity and ageing potential for a minimum of 10 years from this benchmark white.

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – I had two vintages to taste from the two whites from Adrianna Vineyard, which provided a fascinating comparison. Like all the rest, the 2015 White Bones Chardonnay had a long fermentation with wild yeasts and aged in French barriques for some 12 to 16 months, depending on the lot. It's fascinating to compare this with the 2016 and with both years from the White Stones. This is the more exuberant, open, aromatic and balsamic of the four wines, while it is still very young and fresh. The palate is also very expressive and combines power with elegance and freshness. It's long, tasty and mineral, with a salty finish. 4,500 bottles were filled in July 2016.

James Suckling – This is the greatest Cheval des Andes ever. Discrete aromas of blackberries, flowers, stone and licorice. So perfumed. The integration of fruit, tannins and acidity is fantastic. Full-bodied, tight and solid with beautiful depth and integrity. Extremely long and exciting. Complex and compelling with such refinement and length. A blend of 62% malbec and 38% cabernet sauvignon. Available in September 2020. Better after 2024.

James Suckling – Super refined and beautiful with flowers, spices, dried fruit and hints of stones. Medium to full body with very fine tannins and a gorgeous finish. Shows great finesse and depth. Savory character, as always, but in check. Drink in 2022.

James Suckling – Super refined and beautiful with flowers, spices, dried fruit and hints of stones. Medium to full body with very fine tannins and a gorgeous finish. Shows great finesse and depth. Savory character, as always, but in check. Drink in 2022.

James Suckling – This is the greatest Cheval des Andes ever. Discrete aromas of blackberries, flowers, stone and licorice. So perfumed. The integration of fruit, tannins and acidity is fantastic. Full-bodied, tight and solid with beautiful depth and integrity. Extremely long and exciting. Complex and compelling with such refinement and length. A blend of 62% malbec and 38% cabernet sauvignon. Available in September 2020. Better after 2024.

Stephen Tanzer –

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – The 2011 Malbec Finca Bella Vista is from Perdriel (where they have the winery) at 985 meters above sea level, on the south bank of the Mendoza River. The soils are deep, with abundant gravel. This seems much more subtle and elegant than the Mirador, with finesse and ample fine tannins, the medium-bodied palate is precise, a little incisive, with good acidity. This is concentrated and smooth, powerful and elegant. Drink 2014-2024.