Grand Mère
2021
$49.43*
21 case(s) available
Armed with the vision of elevating Catena and Argentine wines to stand with the best in the world, Catena’s high standard of excellence has brought them much acclaim over the years, for their wines and for their work. Most recently, Nicolás Catena Zapata was the recipient of Wine Enthusiast’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021, while his daughter Laura Catena, fourth generation vintner, as well as physician and author, has been called “the face of Argentine wine” and was awarded 2022...
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Aromas of red fruits, such as cherries and strawberries. As it opens, a little black fruit combined with a spicy character of black pepper and cinnamon. Medium acidity. Horizontal mouth.
Grand Mère is only the entry point Pinot Noir from Roy Urvieta, but it’s still delightful stuff that would give a lot of red Burgundies a run for their euros. Clones 115 and 667 are used here, with 20% whole cluster fermentation and 10% new wood. Juicy, floral and succulent,
it’s layered, spicy and sweetly fruited.
Grand Mère pinot was first planted back in 2013. The 2-hectare mix of 667 and 115 clones is fermented with 20 percent whole cluster bunches before ageing 14 months in 15 percent new French oak, plus a combination of second and third use barrels. The style is subtle and very Burgundian despite sitting 1100 metres above sea level. Red fruits, cranberries, cherries, and floral notes dominate the nose. The palate is similar, with more brown spice, black pepper, and a dusting of wet stones. Fresh with perfectly managed tannin, it is another drink-or-hold situation, but this will easily live through 2028. A serious wine ready to take on some duck confit.
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I tasted the 2021 Grand Mère Pinot Noir next to the 2020, and it showed more contained ripeness (13% alcohol) and even better integration of the oak. It fermented with some clusters, less than the rest of the range here, and matured in French oak that was selected very carefully to not mark the wines. It's floral, clean and elegant, with a medium-bodied palate and refined tannins with a long finish where the flowers and red berries are intermixed with some spices and a dry, stony sensation. 14,890 bottles were filled in August 2022.
See detailed press review