Catena Appellation San Carlos Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Franc-based Blends

Catena Appellation San Carlos Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Franc-based Blends

In Burgundy, the Vins de Village are wines from grapes grown in the territory of certain villages that give their name to the appellation, such as Volnay, Pommard, Meursault, or Vosne-Romanée. The Village vineyards are small and often owned by siblings and cousins within the same family. This is due to the Napoleonic Code, which establishes that at a person's death, their land is divided equally among their heirs.

As a Latin country, Argentina shares the Napoleonic Code, and over half of the vineyards in Mendoza are less than four hectares in size and owned by multiple family members. Each village has its own culture with favorite foods, winemaking traditions, and distinctive flavors. Catena’s Appellation wines express the diversity of terroir and the historic farming customs of these local families. 

Wine Production

100% varietal wines blended from vineyards located in El Cepillo, La Consulta and Paraje Altamira, all of them, districts from San Carlos.  Cabernet Franc: 12 to 20 year old vines grown in the  sandy – loam soils provides concentrated ripe red berries, with a touch of  spicy black pepper and eucalyptus. In the palate a good acidity and well integrated tannins gives a fresh and long finish.

Tasting Notes

Catena Appellation Cabernet Franc displays aromas of concentrated ripe berries, a touch of eucalyptus, and black pepper. This wine is dense, with lots of black fruit and elegance. 

In Burgundy, the Vins de Village are wines from grapes grown in the territory of certain villages that give their name to the appellation, such as Volnay, Pommard, Meursault, or Vosne-Romanée. The Village vineyards are small and often owned by siblings and cousins within the same family. This is due to the Napoleonic Code, which establishes that at a person's death, their land is divided equally among their heirs.

As a Latin country, Argentina shares the Napoleonic Code, and over half of the vineyards in Mendoza are less than four hectares in size and owned by multiple family members. Each village has its own culture with favorite foods, winemaking traditions, and distinctive flavors. Catena’s Appellation wines express the diversity of terroir and the historic farming customs of these local families. 

Wine Production

100% varietal wines blended from vineyards located in El Cepillo, La Consulta and Paraje Altamira, all of them, districts from San Carlos.  Cabernet Franc: 12 to 20 year old vines grown in the  sandy – loam soils provides concentrated ripe red berries, with a touch of  spicy black pepper and eucalyptus. In the palate a good acidity and well integrated tannins gives a fresh and long finish.

Tasting Notes

Catena Appellation Cabernet Franc displays aromas of concentrated ripe berries, a touch of eucalyptus, and black pepper. This wine is dense, with lots of black fruit and elegance. 

Vineyard & Production Info

Production area/appellation:
San Carlos
Vineyard name:
El Cepillo
Vineyard size:
100 acres
Soil composition:
Clay, Silt, and Sand
Training method:
VSP
Elevation:
3,960 feet
Vines/acre:
2,200
Yield/acre:
2.4 tons
Exposure:
Northwestern
Year vineyard planted:
n/a
Harvest time:
April
First vintage of this wine:
2006

Winemaking & Aging

Maceration length:
10
Varietal composition:
100% Cabernet Franc
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
20 days
Fermentation temperature:
80 °F
Maceration technique:
Pumpovers
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Type of aging container:
Barriques
Size of aging container:
225 L
Type of oak:
French
Length of aging before bottling:
12 months
Age of Aging Container:
New
Length of bottle aging:
8 months

Analytical Data

pH level:
3.55
Acidity:
5.75 g/L
Alcohol:
13.6 %
Residual sugar:
1.8 g/L

About the Vineyard

The Uco Valley's temperatures are similar to St. Émilion in Bordeaux. The sandy-loam soils and mountainous climate of the family's historic vineyards yield a concentrated, robust, lengthy wine.