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 Catena family is widely credited with putting Argentine Malbec on the world wine map. But their winery does an equally good job with Cabernet Sauvignon, which they’ve been producing for several decades (though U.S. sales remain about 10 times lower than those of their Malbec). Their High Mountain Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, harvested from vineyards approximately 4,000 feet in altitude, is approachable and fairly soft, with fine grained tannins and a moderate alcohol level. It’s a pleasure to drink.”
— The Wall Street Journal, Aug 2021
“The varietal 2018 Catena Cabernet Sauvignon is very approachable, balsamic and aromatic with the herbal side of the grape. It has a juicy mouthfeel, fine-grained tannins and a dry, serious finish.”
— Wine Advocate, Oct 2019
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
The La Piramide, Domingo and Adrianna vineyards
Soil composition
Stony and Sandy-Loam
Training method
VSP
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:
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% 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:
Barrels
Size of aging container:
225 L
Type of oak:
French
Length of aging before bottling:
12-14 months
Age of Aging Container:
French Oak
Length of bottle aging:
12 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.7
Alcohol:
13.4 %