Catena Cabernet Sauvignon

Catena Cabernet Sauvignon bottle image

Wine Description

The Catena wines are a special assemblage of high-altitude estate vineyards made by fourth generation vintner, Laura Catena and chief winemaker, Alejandro Vigil. From decades of study and exploration within Mendoza's high-altitude mountain terroirs, the Catena family has identified special locations for its estate vineyards. The Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of four vineyards. Each vineyard is divided into lots, which are harvested at different times. From the La Pirámide Vineyard in the Agrelo district of Luján de Cuyo come grapes with classic aromas and flavors of black currant and cassis with ripe, sweet tannins. The Domingo Vineyard in the Villa Bastías district of Tupungato contributes grapes with spicy aromatics and peppery notes on the palate. The grapes grown in the Nicasia Vineyard located in Altamira in the La Consulta district of San Carlos provide finely grained and sweet tannins to the wine. And the very high-altitude Adrianna Vineyard in the Gualtallary district of Tupungato produces grapes with notes of eucalyptus, a pronounced minerality, and firm tannins.

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
Dark bright red. Plum, currant, tobacco and cola on the ripe, varietally expressive nose. A lush, sweet, fine-grained midweight with good freshness to its raspberry, plum and spice flavors. Finishes with good ripe tannins and some edgy acidity. Excellent value.
— International Wine Cellar, Mar 2012
Cedar, Asian spices, incense, black cherry, and black currant notes lead to a surprisingly elegant Cabernet for its humble price. Spicy, smooth-textured, and easygoing, with a bit of underlying structure, it will provide enjoyment over the next 6-7 years.
— Wine Advocate, Dec 2011
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
The La Pirámide and Domingo vineyards
Soil composition
Sand and loam
Training method
VSP
Elevation:
3,100 - 3,700 feet
Vines/acre:
2200
Yield/acre:
2 - 2.8 tons tons
Exposure:
Northwestern
Year vineyard planted:
Various
Harvest time:
March - April
First vintage of this wine:
1990
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Winemaking & Aging
Varietal composition:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Fermentation container:
Stainless Steel Tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
14 days
Fermentation temperature:
75 - 80 °F
Maceration technique:
Pump over, punch down, delestage
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Type of aging container:
Barriques
Size of aging container:
225 L
Type of oak:
80% French, 20% American oak
Length of aging before bottling:
16 months
Age of Aging Container:
French oak - 30% new, American oak - 20% new
Length of bottle aging:
12 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.72
Acidity:
5.45 g/L
Alcohol:
14 %
Residual sugar:
< 2 g/L