Sorry to say it dear Operatives, but the Charles Smith 2019 K Vintners ‘The Creator’ sold out!

But fear not, we were able to snag more of an Operative favorite - the luscious Bodega Catena Zapata 2020 ‘Nicolás’ Mendoza Cabernet Blend.

You know what it’s like to run into an old friend you ADORE? This feels the same today, because it’s been too dang long since we had Catena grace our site.

And not just “any” Catena.

We have their flagship patriarch namesake icon featured. But for those of you who also celebrate Appy Friday we have the biggest (yet) stock (probably not enough) of their incredible flagship white. Normally we’re limited to just a few cases of that one…

Both can be had at the best prices you’ll find anywhere, guaranteed, of course. Buy with confidence!

Rated 98 points, plus a couple of 97s from the other side of the Atlantic. A steal at $125, but at how much today?! We can’t say it here, but you can see it below…

Vinous recognizes Nicolás’ legacy best: “If there’s a single winery that embodies the international expansion of Argentine wine, it’s Catena Zapata. In the 1980s, the third generation of the family, led by Nicolás Catena Zapata, set out to make a name for themselves in markets outside of Argentina, where the family winery had grown to be one of the biggest in the 1970s. After selling off their mass-market brands, Nicolás focused on building a portfolio of wines to compete with the best in the world.

He thus embarked upon a vineyard planting program higher up in the mountains in search of cooler climates: firstly, in Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, with the La Pirámide vineyard, then in Villa Bastías with Domingo and Gualtallary with Adrianna, both in Tupungato, and subsequently in Paraje Altamira with Nicasia, just to mention the most famous. Today the most visible face of the winery is Laura Catena, Nicolás’ daughter, who leads a distinguished team of experts including Alejandro Vigil and his team at the winery, and Fernando Buscema and his team at the Catena Institute of Wine.”

The inaugural 1997 vintage of Nicolás was put up in a series of blind tastings held in the USA and Europe against Latour, Haut-Brion, Solaia, Caymus, and Opus One when it came in either 1st or 2nd place in every flight.

The wine? “Argentina’s equivalent of a great vintage of Lafite-Rothschild” says Robert Parker, the man who put Bordeaux in the modern limelight, ranking this wine 4th place globally, with all other wines in the top 10 ranging from $300-$15,000 a bottle.

What’s there left to say but seize the day… and don’t forget to round things out with the WHITE on the App!

98 Points – James Suckling

“Cassis, tobacco, wet stones, iron and baking spices to the nose, showing class, restraint and complexity. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate with super fine tannins. Dry, super elegant and silky with a lengthy, polished finish. Really Bordeaux-like. Juicy and long. 54% Cabernet Sauvignon from Gualtallary, 25% Cabernet Franc from Altamira and 21% Malbec from both areas. The highest portion of cabernet franc this year helped retain its nervy freshness! This is classy and beautiful. Harvested on March 12th and 13th. Drink or hold.”

97 Points – Decanter

“Wonderfully aromatic and nuanced on the nose, so alive and open. Energetic and lively on the palate, this has so much spark and brightness to it. Really compelling from the first sip, the tannins ample and cushioning the slick black fruit and accompanying savoury spices. Feels lean and taught, but with so much flair. Really a lovely expression, so generous and well defined. Youthful as you’d expect right now but when this softens it will be a beauty. Just gorgeous, with a minty fresh finish. Wine director Alejandro Vigil, winemaker Fernando Buscema. Drinking window: 2026-2042.”

97 Points – Tim Atkin MW

“Fernando Buscema picked the components of Nicolás three weeks early to preserve acidity in 2020. The result is a brilliant release of this iconic red, made with Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and a lowest ever 21% Malbec. Fine, detailed and ethereal, it has graphite and blackcurrant leaf aromas, cassis and blueberry fruit, subtle cigar box oak and remarkable palate length. Drink 2025-2035.”