Catena Zapata – 2021 Birth of Cabernet.

Catena Zapata – 2021 Birth of Cabernet.

The bottle of this wine looks as if it has stepped straight out of a fairytale. Its dedicated website radiates the same magical atmosphere, telling the story of Cabernet Sauvignon’s origins and its journey to Argentina: The Birth of Cabernet.

Cabernet Sauvignon is, quite literally, a child of love—born from the crossing of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Originally French, the grape has since found a remarkable second home in Argentina. It is a grape of many faces: versatile, powerful, and grand. Not without reason, it is often called the king of grapes. From the elegant wines of Bordeaux to the iconic cuvées of Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon has left its mark across the globe. And at the foothills of the Andes, it shows its full potential once again.

In this review, we take a closer look at the inaugural vintage of Catena Zapata’s ‘Birth of Cabernet’. A wine that offers not only extraordinary flavor, but also an extraordinary story.

About the Winery

The Catena family’s winemaking roots trace back to the late 19th century. Since its founding in 1902, Bodega Catena Zapata has grown into one of the most influential names in Argentine wine. Nicolás Catena laid the foundation, and today his daughter Laura leads the bodega alongside her siblings. With a background as both physician and scientist, Laura has brought fresh perspectives and a research-driven approach to Mendoza’s high-altitude vineyards.

Together with her sister Adrianna, a historian and storyteller, Laura created Birth of Cabernet. This project not only tells the story of Cabernet Sauvignon itself, but also the journey from France to Argentina. Their earlier collaboration, Malbec Argentino, already combined history and art in a striking label. With Birth of Cabernet, they continue this path, bringing together science, history, and family passion in a single bottle.

The winery building, shaped like a pyramid rising against the backdrop of the Andes, symbolizes the balance between tradition and innovation. Catena Zapata remains deeply rooted in heritage, while continuing to push the boundaries of what Argentine wine can achieve.

About the Origin

Birth of Cabernet is composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc,  sourced from the Ángelica Sur Vineyard and the La Pirámide Vineyard. 

Ángelica Sur Vineyard

Named in honour of Nicolás Catena Zapata’s mother, is located in El Cepillo, in the Eugenio Bustos district of the San Carlos region.

Situated at 1,100 meters (3,608 feet) above sea level, the vineyard has been planted since 2005 with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. The terroir is distinctive: a loamy alluvial soil with a thick layer of gravel on the surface, underlain by ancient alluvial and glacial stones. This composition lends the wines their structure, intensity, and character. Cabernet Sauvignon from Ángelica Sur is known for its deep, intense color, aromas of blackberry, spice, and a touch of red pepper, balanced by fresh, lively acidity.

La Pirámide Vineyard

Named after the iconic winery it surrounds, La Pirámide Vineyard is located in Agrelo, within the Luján de Cuyo region. Planted in 1983, the vineyard lies at 950 meters (3,117 feet) above sea level. Its soils are primarily alluvial loam with around 30% clay, offering a cool, fertile base. The topsoil extends about 2 meters (6.5 feet) deep, underlain by rounded alluvial stones that help regulate drainage and temperature. With an average temperature of 15°C (59°F) and a thermal amplitude of 13.6°C (56.4°F), the site provides ideal conditions for balanced ripening.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot thrive here. Cabernet Sauvignon expresses aromas and flavors of blackcurrant and cassis, with a mouthfeel that is both powerful and remarkably smooth.

The Philosophy behind the Wine

The label of Birth of Cabernet tells a mythical and almost fairytale-like story of how Cabernet Sauvignon came to be. Legend has it that a bee flew from the flowers of Cabernet Franc to those of Sauvignon Blanc, creating a unique seedling. Years later, a winemaker discovered this remarkable vine and Cabernet Sauvignon was born.

The idea came to Laura while researching her book Gold in the Vineyards, when she explored the fortunate crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc that created the grape. As she describes it, “it’s the coolest story that nobody knows.”

On the label, this story is brought to life through allegory. Cabernet Franc appears as the fox, with traits of Cardinal Richelieu, one of the grape’s earliest admirers. Sauvignon Blanc is portrayed as the siren, half woman and half bird, symbolizing her wild and seductive nature. Their child, Cabernet Sauvignon, is depicted as a world traveler: from the French Pyrenees, paying homage to the Basque origins of Cabernet Franc, to the iconic Catena Zapata pyramid at the foothills of the Andes in Argentina.

This artistic label intertwines history, myth, and adventure in a way that instantly captures attention. It is a bottle that will spark conversation long before the first sip. And for those less moved by the story behind it, the wine itself is just as compelling.

About the Wine

The Catena Zapata line is reserved for only the finest cuvées, wines crafted exclusively in exceptional vintages. The 2021 harvest was one of those rare years: consistent weather, slightly cooler than average, and blessed with perfect conditions for red varieties. Yields were normal, yet the grapes showed remarkable concentration, refined sugars and a striking acidity. As if nature wanted to add one final gift, Mendoza was spared from severe hailstorms that year.

The grapes are harvested entirely by hand, with only the best bunches carefully selected. Fermentation takes place in a mix of concrete eggs, small stainless steel tanks and French oak roll-fermentors, at controlled temperatures of 26 to 28 degrees Celsius for 12 to 18 days. Total maceration lasts around 18 to 22 days. The wine then matures gracefully for 18 to 24 months in French oak barrels, a combination of first, second and third use. Each barrel contributes its own nuance, weaving layers of complexity and balance that make this wine truly unique.

In the glass, a deep purple hue captures the eye. The nose unfolds with richness and expression, offering aromas of black cherry, raspberry, bell pepper, licorice and bay leaf. Though still young—barely four years old—the wine already shows a touch of maturity. Fresh and vibrant today, yet with hints of tertiary notes that whisper of its potential. Already a delight to drink, but with a cellaring capacity that promises even greater depth and sophistication in the years to come.

A wine that impresses now, and whose future shines even brighter.

Conclusion

What a true homage to the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Released this year, the wine shines in both power and finesse. The cooler and fresher 2021 vintage reveals remarkable elegance and balance, setting the tone for this inaugural wine. With this release, Catena Zapata offers more than just a wine, it tells a story. A story of craftsmanship, terroir, and the timeless beauty of Cabernet Sauvignon.

We reward this wine with a 94-point DWA score.

If you like the story of this wine we encourage you to have a look at an homage to a different grape as well, Catena Zapata’s view on Malbec. You can read more about the story of this amazing grape in our review of the Malbec Argentino, which you can find here.

This review is written by our own Bo van Damme. Catena Zapata’s wines are imported and distributed in the Netherlands by Vinites and available through selected retail and hospitality partners.

Price:               ~€90,00

Taste Date:     August 2025 

Glass Type:     Spiegelau Definition Bordeaux

Writer:            Bo van Damme

Score:              94/100 DWA Score  

Website:         Bodega Catena Zapata