Malbec
2019
At heart, Catena is a story about family. Family who poured their lives, passion and spirit into transforming scrub-laden desert into some of the most beautiful and unique vineyards in the world. Family that passed their knowledge from generation to generation, blending collective memory with state-of-the-art science from the new world of viticulture. Family who, through risk-taking, faith and a little luck, transformed their treasured Mendoza terroir into the fountainhead of the award-winning...
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A Blend of Three Vineyards - vineyards are divided into lots that are harvested at different times: Lunlunta 3,018 ft (920m) elevation: aluvial origin. Loamy clay in the topsoil with rounded rocks on the bottom. El Cepillo, Eugenio Bustos 3,593 ft (1,090 m) elevation: aluvial origin. Loam-sandy soil with thick calcareous layers and rounded rocks on the bottom. Gualtallary 4,757 ft (1,450 m) elevation: aluvial origin. Gravel and limestone soil. Rounded rocks in the bottom.
This wine goes through an extensive cold maceration for 5 days at 50oF (10oC) to extract aromas. The juice is then fermented for 12 days with a post-fermentation maceration of 19-22 days using wild yeasts. Aged for 12 months in barrel. Barrel selection varies depending on vineyard and vintage - First, second and third use barrels used.
This is a solid, focused malbec with tight, creamy tannins and plum and chocolate aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied. The tannins spread so nicely across the palate that they scarcely leave any trace.
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A blend of Malbec grapes from three high-altitude vineyards, ranging from 920m to 1,450m. Bright and juicy berry aromas: black cherry, blueberry and raspberry, prettily edged in violets. On the palate there's a mouthful of silky, ripe berries, balanced by high-altitude freshness, with rounded tannins. Spice and vanilla notes linger on the black cherry finish. Tons of drinking pleasure and such good value for money!
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A Malbec from Mendoza, made with grapes from the Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo, that spent 12 months in French barrels. Purplish red in the glass. The nose features plums and herbs over a faint bed of wood and sweet spices. The soft, terse palate contains muscular, polished tannins that fully occupy the mouth. The freshness is key, bringing life without getting overly tense. A tasty wine.
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Catena’s High Mountain Malbec is a blend of high-altitude, family-owned vineyards. The precision you taste results from Laura Catena and chief winemaker Alejandro Vigil blending three sites at Lunlunta, Maipù, El Cipillo, Eugenio Bustos and Gualtallary, Tupungato. The 2019 growing season was solid and dry, yielding smaller berries and low yields left the wines bright and ripe — a great combination for Malbec. Look for attractive red/black fruits with a touch of mocha, toasted oak and superb balance — fine value most every year.
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