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
“Begin enjoying this superb wine by noting its gorgeous hue, followed by a powerful nose exhibiting great depth. Then taste its strong, heavy-ish body with great fruit, complexity, integration and prolonged length.”
— Arizona Daily Sun, Feb 2021
“Deep purple in color with dark fruit and licorice aromas. Full bodied yet so beautifully balanced with ripe, plush blueberry flavors along with hints of mocha and spice. The finish is soft and velvety as it glides over the palate.”
— Telegram, Oct 2020
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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:
3.48
Acidity:
6 g/L
Alcohol:
13.8 %
Residual sugar:
2 g/L