Catena Malbec

Catena Malbec bottle image

Wine Description

The Catena Malbec is sourced and blended from the family´s high-altitude vineyards in Maipú, Luján de Cuyo, Tupungato and San Carlos. Each vineyard is divided into lots that are harvested at different times and are specifically farmed in preparation for their role in the final blend. The old vines in the Angélica Vineyard in the Lunlunta district in Maipú produce grapes that lend soft, sweet texture. The lauded Catena cuttings in the La Pirámide Vineyard in the Agrelo district of Luján de Cuyo add spicy notes to the wine. The cold nights in the Altamira district of San Carlos, where Catena’s Nicasia Vineyard is located, help to grow grapes with bright, crisp acidity and the intense sunshine in the Adrianna Vineyard in the Gualtallary district of Tupungato, give the grapes explosive floral aromatics and firm but silky soft tannins. This combination of different vineyard components results in a wine with heightened complexities and unique character that is full-bodied yet balanced, concentrated and complex while retaining true varietal character.

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
“Aromas of violets and juicy raspberries power past this wine's lighter scents of black pepper and cassis. Warm with alcohol, it's completely filled by the rich, generous fruit flavors that promise a good life in bottle.”
— Wine & Spirits, Jun 2010
Dark ruby red in color, it delivers an alluring bouquet of Asian spices, incense, lavender, and black cherry. Smooth textured, spicy, and easy-to understand, this pleasure-bent Malbec is an outstanding value for drinking over the next 4-6 years.
— Wine Advocate, Dec 2010
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
The Angélica, La Pirámide, Nicasia and Adrianna vineyards
Soil composition
Sand and loam
Training method
VSP
Elevation:
2,850 - 4,856 feet
Vines/acre:
2200
Yield/acre:
2 - 2.8 tons
Exposure:
Northwestern
Year vineyard planted:
Various
Harvest time:
March - April
First vintage of this wine:
1994
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Winemaking & Aging
Maceration length:
32
Varietal composition:
100% Malbec
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tank
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
32 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:
255 L
Type of oak:
French & American oak
Length of aging before bottling:
16 months
Age of Aging Container:
35% New
Length of bottle aging:
10 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.7
Acidity:
5.4 g/L
Alcohol:
13.8 %