Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino

Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino

Wine Description

Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino is made from a meticulous vine selection in the best lots of the Catena family’s estate vineyards. These Zapata vines are carefully hand tended and produce extremely low yields. The grapes are micro-fermented in new French oak barriques and the wine is then aged for 24 months in new French oak. This wine is made in very limited quantities.

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
“A tad restrained at this stage, but shows a nice mix of floral and mineral notes that join the palate around a swell of chalky mineral acidity, adding fresh raspberry flavors. Turns slightly muscular on the finish, with firming tannins and notes of dark chocolate.” — Wine Spectator, Nov 2023
“The 2020 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino follows the path of the 2019, harvested early and fermented with 100% full clusters in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and matured in oak vats and some barrels for 12 to 18 months. It's juicy, powerful and with abundant tannins and a slight earthiness. It's a little more voluptuous and mixes grapes from Angélica (Lunlunta) and some from Nicasia (Altamira).”
— Wine Advocate, Nov 2022
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
Angelica Vineyard (Lulunta district) and Nicasia Vineyard (Altamira district)
Soil composition
Sand, Gravel, Stony, and Clay-Loam
Training method
VSP
Elevation:
3,018-3,593 feet
Vines/acre:
2200
Yield/acre:
1.2 tons
Exposure:
Northwestern
Year vineyard planted:
1992-1996
Harvest time:
March - April
First vintage of this wine:
2004
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Winemaking & Aging
Varietal composition:
100% Malbec
Fermentation container:
Vertical open barriques & small stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
30-32 days
Fermentation temperature:
82.4 - 86 °F
Maceration technique:
Manual punching down
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Type of aging container:
Barriques
Size of aging container:
225 L
Type of oak:
French oak
Length of aging before bottling:
24 months
Age of Aging Container:
100% New
Length of bottle aging:
12 - 18 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.6
Acidity:
6.05 g/L
Alcohol:
13.8 %