Catena Appellation San Carlos Cabernet Franc

Catena Appellation San Carlos Cabernet Franc

Wine Description

Mendoza Province is Argentina’s most important winemaking region with approximately 167,704 hectares (414,405 acres) of vineyards, accounting for 70% of the country’s Wine production. Within the Mendoza appellation there are distinct sub-appellations, legally recognized as “Indicaciones Geográficas” (IGs). Through extraordinary diversity in soil quality, altitude, and climate, Mendoza’s sub-appellation/IGs are essential in defining the terroir of Argentine wine. Wines labeled from a particular appellation/IG must be sourced 100% from vineyards in the IG.

 

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
accordion plus icons
Acclaim
“The 2020 Cabernet Franc Catena Appellation San Carlos is made with grapes from three vineyards planted in alluvial soils rich in calcium carbonate and aged for eight months in French barrels. The attractive nose presents ripe redcurrant with hints of country herb, mint and a touch of jalapeno followed by subtle aromas from the aging process. The compact palate offers chalky tannins and a very finely grained texture. A precise freshness adds energy in the mouth and enhances the juiciness.”
— Vinous, Nov 2021
“The 2020 Appellation San Carlos Cabernet Franc shows more freshness than the majority of other 2020. It has contained ripeness and moderate acidity, but the sensation of freshness goes beyond the acidity reading. It shows varietal character, peppery and spicy, with very fine tannins.”
— Wine Advocate, Mar 2021
View more acclaim Arrow Right
accordion plus icons
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
accordion plus icons
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
accordion plus icons
Analytical Data
pH level:
3.6
Acidity:
5.3 g/L
Alcohol:
13.6 %
accordion plus icons
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.