Catena Appellation Lunlunta Malbec

Catena Appellation Lunlunta Malbec bottle image

Wine Description

Family vintners for over 100 years, the Catena’s are recognized internationally for their pioneering role in high-altitude viticulture and in leading Argentina’s Malbec revolution. Lunlunta is an idyllic district of small orchards and tree-lined country roads, well known for its ancient Malbec vines and silty-clay soils. Lunlunta Malbec displays black and red berry aromatics, a lengthy mid-palate and ripe silky finish. This is Argentine Malbec at its best.

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
“You’d expect a Malbec from more easterly, warmer Lunlunta to be a little less well defined that those from the Uco Valley, but that’s not the case here, thanks to a combination of old vines and earlier picking. Plush and violet scented, this is a rich, textured, satisfying red at a very reasonable price.”
— Tim Atkin, MW, Mar 2016
“Lunlunta has this friendly, juicy, smooth side that is so well reflected here. A wine that charms with its friendliness.”
— Patricio Tapia, Jun 2017
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
Lunlunta (Sub-Appellation of Maipu IG)
Vineyard size
150 acres
Soil composition
Sandy & loamy; 50% sand, 30% silt, 20% clay, 5% surface stones.
Training method
VSP
Elevation:
2,785 feet
Vines/acre:
2,200
Yield/acre:
2.8 tons
Exposure:
Northwestern
Year vineyard planted:
1930
Harvest time:
Late February
First vintage of this wine:
2011
Bottles produced of this wine:
60,000
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Winemaking & Aging
Maceration length:
23
Varietal composition:
100% Malbec
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
5 days
Fermentation temperature:
45 °F
Maceration technique:
Punchdown and Pumpovers
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Type of aging container:
Stainless steel tanks
Size of aging container:
225 L
Type of oak:
French
Length of aging before bottling:
12 months
Age of Aging Container:
One year
Length of bottle aging:
10 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.8
Acidity:
5.3 g/L
Alcohol:
13.5 %
Residual sugar:
1.8 g/L