2008 Nicolas Catena Zapata

Riverstone is a 1.6-hectare parcel of Malbec grown in a dry river bed of stones coated in calcium carbonate. The winemaking process begins with fermentation in 500-liter barrels, followed by 20 months’ aging in French oak barrels. Expressive, like all wines grown in stony soil, this is also fruity with notes of sour cherry, raspberry and lavender. The palate is quite intense, offering hints of chalk that define the texture and a saline flavor that enhances and channels the effect in the mouth. (JH)

This is really something. There’s purity and focus to the aromas of crushed berries, licorice and black tea, which follow through to an integrated palate of extremely fine, melted tannins that spread to the very ends of the wine. This is all about balance and length. It really is an emotional wine.

(14% alcohol; 6.2 g/l acidity; 3.7 pH): Bright ruby-red. Very expressive, complex aromas of plum, currant, cherry and black olive, complemented by a slightly candied quality. Fat, pliant and deep on the palate, with the dense black fruit flavors given lovely definition by well-integrated acidity and lightly salty minerality. This beautifully balanced wine has the mid-palate stuffing to support its fine-grained tannins on the rising finish. A very suave vintage.