INSIDER'S PICK: 2010 BODEGAS CATENA ZAPATA 'NICOLAS CATENA ZAPATA' (Vinous 94 Points, Wine Advocate 95 Points) $99.99

One of the most fortunate relationships we have been able to nurture over the years has been with the Catena Zapata winery in Argentina. It is not hyperbole to say they are among the most respected wineries in the Southern Hemisphere, easily among the most important and revolutionary in Argentina. They are as iconic in their part of the world as Martin Ray and Robert Mondavi are in California. Dr. Nicolas Catena, the patriarch of the modern winemaking family, was one of the first to move through the financial and political upheaval of the 1980's and focus on improving the quality of winemaking in Mendoza. His early experimenting with clonal selection for Malbec and high elevation vineyard development put their evolution decades ahead of everyone else, and what was learned at their winery has influenced almost every other exceptional vineyard in the country. Volumes have been written about them, and multiple awards bestowed upon them, more than we can do justice in this email.

The Nicolas Catena Zapata bottling was first introduced in the 1997 vintage, a selection of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and various portions of Malbec from their best vineyards. Since its inception it has been one of the most dependably high achieving wines in the world, routinely equaling the finest Bordeaux and California Cabernets in blind tastings, as well as outstanding press and reviews from the most respected publications. This wine always displays great power, but because of the high altitude vineyards the fruit always has an added layer of acidity often lacking in 'big' wines. Simply put, this is a world class wine, and we consider ourselves fortunate to have the opportunity to present it for a free tasting.

 Because of the high price of the bottle we will only have the opportunity to open one for tasting; if that should occur, we will have two other wines from Catena Zapata open to taste instead, the 2015 Chardonnay 'Tupungato' and the 2014 Cabernet Franc 'San Carlos'. Bottles of the Nicolas Catena Zapata can be purchased for the 10% discount even if the tasting bottle is finished off. Hope to see you here!

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