Catena Appellation Paraje Altamira Malbec

Catena Appellation Paraje Altamira Malbec bottle image

Wine Description

Family vintners for over 100 years, the Catena’s are recognized internationally for their pioneering role in high-altitude viticulture and in leading Argentina’s Malbec revolution. In the 1950s, Don Domingo Catena began sourcing Malbec from the vineyards of Altamira in the Uco Valley.

Remington-Mendoza
Laura Catena sits at a table with a glass of wine
Malbec Grapes
Alejandro Vigil (Chief Winemaker) and Laura Catena Tasting
Malbec Clone in La Piramide Vineyard
Nicolás Catena
Bodega Catena Zapata
Bodega Catena Zapata
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Acclaim
“Brooding, dense nose of fruit cake, black plum and savoury notes. Fine and supple tannins – powerful yet nicely balanced on the palate.” - (Each judge awarded their own score, therefore a range has been provided)
— Decanter, Oct 2021
“One of three reds in the appellation series, this is all made with Malbec fruit from Catena’s own vines in Paraje Altamira. Intense and deeply coloured, with lots of sweet, glossy cassis and strawberry fruit, a sheen of mocha oak and a chalky, refreshing finish.”
— Tim Atkin, MW, May 2020
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Vineyard & Production Info
Production area/appellation:
Paraje Altamira
Vineyard size
75 acres
Soil composition
Clay-Loam, Silty-Loam, and Sandy-Loam
Training method
VSP
Elevation:
3,613 feet
Vines/acre:
1800
Yield/acre:
2.8 tons
Exposure:
Northwestern
Year vineyard planted:
1996
Harvest time:
March 18-April 20
First vintage of this wine:
2006
Average Vine Age:
21
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Winemaking & Aging
Prefermentation Technique:
Cold maceration
Maceration length:
10
Varietal composition:
100% Malbec
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
16 days
Fermentation temperature:
80 °F
Maceration technique:
Pumpovers
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Type of aging container:
Barrels
Size of aging container:
225
Type of oak:
French
Length of aging before bottling:
12 months
Age of Aging Container:
New
Length of bottle aging:
10 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.7
Alcohol:
13.6 %