Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard
Wine Description
The Nicasia vineyard is a small, specially selected number of rows in Lot 1 of the Catena family's Altamira vineyard. Planted in 1996, the Malbec vine are on own roots and part of a massal population from the Catena family's historic, 80 year old Angelica vineyard. Early shoot removal in September and a cluster thinning on December lead to an extremely low yield of 1.2 tons per acre (2.5 tons per hectare). With plantation density of 1,925 plants per acre (4,000 plants per hectare), this translates into a yield of 22 ounces (625 grams) per plant.
Acclaim
Vineyard & Production Info
Production area/appellation:
Paraje Altamira
Vineyard name
Nicasia Vineyard, Lot 1
Vineyard size
100 acres
Soil composition
Sand
Training method
VSP
Elevation:
3,593 feet
Vines/acre:
2200
Yield/acre:
1.2 tons
Exposure:
Northwestern
Year vineyard planted:
1996
Harvest time:
April
First vintage of this wine:
2004
Winemaking & Aging
Maceration length:
28
Varietal composition:
100% Malbec
Fermentation container:
Vertical open Barriques, small stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
17 days
Fermentation temperature:
77 - 86 °F
Maceration technique:
Manual punch 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:
24 months
Age of Aging Container:
100% New
Length of bottle aging:
24 months
Analytical Data
pH level:
3.7
Alcohol:
14 %