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
“The 2011 Catena Cabernet Sauvignon is complemented by 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The grapes are sourced from different Uco Valley vineyards, Villa Bastias, Altamira, Agrelo and Gualtallary. It is very intense with aromas of black currant and an herbaceous personality in the shape of notes of mint. It has some dusty tannins and pungent flavors in an intense, medium-bodied palate. Approachable and able to age.”
— Luis Gutierrez, Apr 2014
“Bright ruby-red. Expressive nose melds kirsch, black raspberry, licorice, violet and graphite. Quite graceful on the palate, at once liqueur-like and energetic, with flavors of currant, cedar and graphite spreading out to saturate the palate. Finishes sweet, juicy and long, with a hint of dried herbs contributing lift. Winemaker Alejandro Vigil is able to moderate alcohol and acidity levels in his red wines through what he describes as a ‘differentiated harvest.’”
— International Wine Cellar, Apr 2014
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
The La Pirámide, Domingo and Adrianna vineyards
Soil composition
Loam and clay
Elevation:
3,117-4,757 feet
Vines/acre:
2,200
Yield/acre:
2-2.8 tons
Exposure:
Northwestern
Harvest time:
March-April
First vintage of this wine:
1990
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Winemaking & Aging
Maceration length:
5 days; 27-32
Varietal composition:
95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot
Fermentation container:
Stainless Steel Tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
14 days
Fermentation temperature:
75 - 80 °F
Maceration technique:
Cold Soak Maceration; Racking, Punchdown, and Pumpovers
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Type of aging container:
Barriques
Size of aging container:
225 L
Type of oak:
80% French, 20% American
Length of aging before bottling:
12-14 months
Age of Aging Container:
French oak - 20% new, American oak - 20% new
Length of bottle aging:
12 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.7
Acidity:
5.8 g/L
Alcohol:
13.5 %