Catena Appellation Paraje Altamira Malbec

Catena Appellation Paraje Altamira Malbec

Wine Description

Family vintners for over 100 years, the Catena’s are recognized internationally for their pioneering role in high-altitude viticulture and in leading Argentina’s Malbec revolution. In the 1950s, Don Domingo Catena began sourcing Malbec from the vineyards of Altamira in the Uco Valley.

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 2021 Appellation Paraje Altamira Malbec was my favorite from this range of Malbecs from different IGs (Indicación Geograficas, the appellations of Argentina), with freshness, elegance, balance, complexity and nuance. It has moderate 13.4% alcohol and very good freshness and acidity (in parameters and in the mouth), and it's clean, precise and ethereal with lots of energy. It is expressive and floral, varietal and with the full chalky texture that is a distinct characteristic of Altamira. It has polished tannins and finished tasty and long.”
 
— Wine Advocate, Nov 2022
“The 2021 Malbec Catena Appellation Paraje Altamira from the Uco Valley was aged for eight months in a third new barrels. Purple in the glass. The nose presents notes of fruit and herbs such as plum, thyme and hints of violet. In the mouth, the palate is compact with slightly chalky tannins, good juice and regional flavor, which lingers at length.”
— Vinous, Nov 2022
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Vineyard & Production Info
Production area/appellation:
Paraje Altamira
Vineyard size
75 acres
Soil composition
Clay-Loam, Silty-Loam, and Sandy-Loam
Training method
VSP
Elevation:
3,613 feet
Vines/acre:
1800
Yield/acre:
2.8 tons
Exposure:
Northwestern
Year vineyard planted:
1996
Harvest time:
March 18-April 20
First vintage of this wine:
2006
Average Vine Age:
21
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Winemaking & Aging
Prefermentation Technique:
Cold maceration
Maceration length:
10
Varietal composition:
100% Malbec
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
16 days
Fermentation temperature:
80 °F
Maceration technique:
Pumpovers
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Type of aging container:
Barrels
Size of aging container:
225
Type of oak:
French
Length of aging before bottling:
12 months
Age of Aging Container:
New
Length of bottle aging:
10 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.5
Acidity:
6.15 g/L
Alcohol:
13.4 %