Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon

Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon bottle image

Wine Description

In the mid-nineties, in an effort to produce a super-premium wine, the winemaking team of Catena began an in-depth investigation into the yields from specially selected, high altitude vineyards, identifying the individual rows that produce the best fruit. Catena Alta is an assemblage of these historic rows within the Catena family’s estate vineyards. The blend of these rows, like the blend of musical notes that compose a symphony, creates a wine that is layered and complex, concentrated yet nuanced.

Before the world recognized Argentina as “Malbec Country,” Bodega Catena Zapata was known for its old world style Cabernet Sauvignon born in the clay soils of Agrelo. The family cherishes its historic Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in Agrelo and Tupungato particularly for the ageability and classic varietal characteristics of the wines produced from their grapes.

Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from Block 3 of the La Pirámide Vineyard in the Agrelo district of Luján de Cuyo, Block 2 of the Domingo Vineyard in the Villa Bastías district of Tupungato, and Block 2 of the Nicasia Vineyard in the Altamira district of San Carlos in the southern end of the Uco Valley.

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
Full deep red-ruby. Superripe aromas of blackberry and bitter chocolate, complicated by hints of wild herbs, game and mint. Sweet, pliant and suave, but with integrated acidity giving focus to the middle palate. Finishes broad and fine-grained, with sweet tannins and excellent grip and length.
— International Wine Cellar, Mar 2012
The '08 Alta Cabernet exhibits a ripe and voluptuous style. Aromas and flavors of figs and chestnuts predominate, red fruit notes emerging after.
— Wine & Spirits, Jun 2010
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
The La Pirámide (Lot 3), Domingo (Lot 2) and Nicasia (Lot 2)
Vineyard size
N/A acres
Soil composition
Depending on vineyard: Sand, loam, clay and limestone, Surface stones.
Training method
VSP
Elevation:
3,100 - 4,870 feet
Vines/acre:
Varies depending on site
Yield/acre:
1.2 ton tons
Exposure:
Northwestern
Harvest time:
Mid-April
First vintage of this wine:
1994
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Winemaking & Aging
Varietal composition:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Fermentation container:
Small format fermentation, French oak roll fermentor barrels of 600 liters, stainless steel tanks of 500 liters and bins of 300 liters.
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
16 days
Fermentation temperature:
82 °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:
18 months
Age of Aging Container:
80% New
Length of bottle aging:
24 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.72
Acidity:
5.45 g/L
Alcohol:
14 %