Catena Alta Malbec

Catena Alta Malbec

Wine Description

During the 1990’s, Bodega Catena Zapata set new standards for Argentine wine. In an effort to produce a super premium wine, the winemaking team of Catena began in-depth investigations into the yields from specially selected, high altitude vineyards, identifying the individual lots that produce the best fruit. These vines undergo a careful thinning process, leaving only a select few clusters, resulting in remarkably complex, aromatic and flavorful fruit. Through the application of natural techniques, these grapes are transformed into Catena Alta. This wine is unfined and unfiltered.

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
“Smoky black plum, blueberry and blackberry aromas are fully ripe, almost a bit soft, with background notes of cardamom and fenugreek. On the palate, this Malbec from a dry year with small yields is creamy and full bodied. Max ripe flavors of cassis and black plum are oaky, meaty and finish mellow, with little to no bite or grit.”
— Wine Enthusiast, Dec 2021
“Prominent oak starts off the nose of this intensely perfumed, beetle shell black-cored wine. With air, it turns into a more elaborate display of Christmas spice accented with mulberries and plum preserves. Richly layered with compelling notes of peat and pencil shavings, this is classic Argentinian Malbec. Firm tannins and well-placed acidity nicely frame the full yet well-balanced body. This could use some time for the oak to further integrate.”
— ChristyCanterbury.com, Aug 2021
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
The Angélica, La Pirámide, Nicasia and Adrianna vineyards
Vineyard size
N/A acres
Soil composition
Depending on site - sand, loam, clay, calcareous deposits, limestone, surface stones
Training method
VSP
Elevation:
3,018-4,757 feet
Vines/acre:
2200
Yield/acre:
1.2 ton tons
Exposure:
Northwestern
Year vineyard planted:
Various
Harvest time:
March - April
First vintage of this wine:
1996
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Winemaking & Aging
Varietal composition:
100% Malbec
Fermentation container:
Small format fermentation, French oak barrels, stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
10 - 18 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:
70% New
Length of bottle aging:
24 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.61
Alcohol:
13.8 %