Catena Alta Malbec

Catena Alta Malbec bottle image

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
“Lush nose with a ripe, velvety mouthfeel and tangy flavor profile. Stylish, generous, and balanced with a lengthy finish.”
— The Tasting Panel, Dec 2018
“Aromas of graphite and dark fruit with hints of spice and tea bag. Mushroom too. Full body, yet refined and beautifully textured. Love the low oak impression. Made in mostly concrete eggs. Fantastic. Drink now.”
— James Suckling, Jun 2017
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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
No relevant data were found.