Catena Cabernet Sauvignon

Catena Cabernet Sauvignon bottle image

Wine Description

The Catena wines are a special assemblage of high-altitude estate vineyards made by fourth generation vintner, Laura Catena and chief winemaker, Alejandro Vigil. From decades of study and exploration within Mendoza's high-altitude mountain terroirs, the Catena family has identified special locations for its estate vineyards. The Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of four vineyards. Each vineyard is divided into lots, which are harvested at different times. From the La Pirámide Vineyard in the Agrelo district of Luján de Cuyo come grapes with classic aromas and flavors of black currant and cassis with ripe, sweet tannins. The Domingo Vineyard in the Villa Bastías district of Tupungato contributes grapes with spicy aromatics and peppery notes on the palate. The grapes grown in the Nicasia Vineyard located in Altamira in the La Consulta district of San Carlos provide finely grained and sweet tannins to the wine. And the very high-altitude Adrianna Vineyard in the Gualtallary district of Tupungato produces grapes with notes of eucalyptus, a pronounced minerality, and firm tannins.

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
“Classic Cabernet aromas of cassis, plum and tobacco leaf, with a touch of reduction. Plush, round and sweet, offering a wonderfully pliant texture and noteworthy depth to its flavors of redcurrant, mocha and spices. Doesn't show quite the energy of the Malbec but this is riper and may ultimately prove to be the better wine. Finishes with suave tannins and excellent length.”
— Vinous, Mar 2016
“I found the 2013 Catena Cabernet Sauvignon superior to the 2012. It is fresher and has more focused, clean aromas and a livelier palate even though the fruit seems to have reached a better ripeness despite being a colder vintage. There are spicy aromas and a touch of ink. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very good acidity and balance. You can drink it now but it will hold a few years in bottle.”
— Wine Advocate, Aug 2015
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
The La Pirámide, Domingo and Adrianna vineyards
Soil composition
Stony and Sandy-Loam
Training method
VSP
Elevation:
3,117-4,757 feet
Vines/acre:
2,200
Yield/acre:
2-2.8 tons
Exposure:
Northwestern
Harvest time:
March-April
First vintage of this wine:
1990
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Winemaking & Aging
Maceration length:
5 days; 27-32
Varietal composition:
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot
Fermentation container:
Stainless Steel Tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
14 days
Fermentation temperature:
75 - 80 °F
Maceration technique:
Cold Soak Maceration; Racking, Punchdown, and Pumpovers
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Type of aging container:
Barrels
Size of aging container:
225 L
Length of aging before bottling:
12-14 months
Age of Aging Container:
French and American Oak
Length of bottle aging:
12 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.7
Acidity:
5.6 g/L
Alcohol:
13.5 %
Residual sugar:
1.8 g/L