Catena Malbec

Catena Malbec bottle image

Wine Description

The Catena Malbec is sourced and blended from the family´s high-altitude vineyards in Maipú, Luján de Cuyo, Tupungato and San Carlos. Each vineyard is divided into lots that are harvested at different times and are specifically farmed in preparation for their role in the final blend. The old vines in the Angélica Vineyard in the Lunlunta district in Maipú produce grapes that lend soft, sweet texture. The lauded Catena cuttings in the La Pirámide Vineyard in the Agrelo district of Luján de Cuyo add spicy notes to the wine. The cold nights in the Altamira district of San Carlos, where Catena’s Nicasia Vineyard is located, help to grow grapes with bright, crisp acidity and the intense sunshine in the Adrianna Vineyard in the Gualtallary district of Tupungato, give the grapes explosive floral aromatics and firm but silky soft tannins. This combination of different vineyard components results in a wine with heightened complexities and unique character that is full-bodied yet balanced, concentrated and complex while retaining true varietal character.

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
The nose reveals balsam wood, vanilla, mocha, cassis and black cherry. Plush on the palate, this medium-bodied Malbec has layered, spicy flavors, with a touch of tobacco and leather making an appearance.
— Wine Advocate, Aug 2009
2009 Top 100: Rank: 69 - A sleek, polished style, with alluring mocha and raspberry ganache notes leading the way, backed by dark plum, hoisin sauce and graphite flavors that push through the finish. This has serious weight, but stays focused and driven.
— Wine Spectator, Nov 2009
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
The Angélica, La Pirámide, Nicasia and Adrianna vineyards
Soil composition
Sand and loam
Training method
VSP
Elevation:
2,850 - 4,856 feet
Vines/acre:
2200
Yield/acre:
2-2.8 tons
Exposure:
Northwestern
Year vineyard planted:
Various
Harvest time:
March-April
First vintage of this wine:
1994
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Winemaking & Aging
Maceration length:
32
Varietal composition:
100% Malbec
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Fermentation temperature:
75 - 80 °F
Maceration technique:
Pumpover, punch down and delestage
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Type of aging container:
Barriques
Size of aging container:
225 L
Type of oak:
French and American oak
Length of aging before bottling:
12 months
Age of Aging Container:
35% New
Length of bottle aging:
12 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.7
Acidity:
5.4 g/L
Alcohol:
13.5 %