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Wine Information
Catena Alta Malbec is sourced from small, carefully selected estate-grown lots in four of the Catena family’s Andean vineyards: Angélica vineyard, La Pirámide vineyard, Nicasia vineyard, and Adrianna vineyard. The blend of these historic lots, like the marriage of sounds that create a symphony, yields a highly aromatic and elegant wine that speaks for the earth and the vines that have been tended by the Catenas for four generations.
Catena Alta Malbec 2008 shows a saturated dark violet color. The nose offers freshly ground, ripe berry fruits with layers of wild flowers, mocha and tobacco. The mouthfeel is full with excellent weight and concentration with a soft and silky texture. The mid palate offers rich cassis and black currant fruit flavors interwoven with hints of chocolate, vanilla and black pepper. It finishes with a wonderful minerality, finely grained tannins and lively acidity.
Fact Sheet
VINIFICATION:
Whole berries are hand loaded into small format fermentation steel tanks 500 lts and bins; lots are treated individually; fermentation and maceration time lasts from 10–50 days; the wine finishes alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrel; aged for 18 months in French oak, 70% new.
VINTAGE:
The 2008 vintage shows exceptional levels of concentration and complexity. Climate conditions were exceptionally dry. This caused the physiological ripening of sugars to accelerate but the phenological ripening of polyphenols to slow down. In late January, some precipitation moved in which lowered temperatures and brought the physiological and phenological ripening processes back into synchronization. April has been dry and very cool. The grapes still on the vine are developing very nicely and will be harvested in excellent sanitary conditions, with exceptional levels of concentration and complexity.
VINEYARDS:
Angelica vineyard: 3018 feet
La Piramide vineyard: 3117 feet
Nicasia vineyard: 3593 feet
Adrianna vineyard: 4757 feet
Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil
Varietal: 100% Malbec
Alcohol: 14,50%
Total acidity: 5,5
PH: 3.7
Residual Sugar: 2 g/l
Apellation: Mendoza, Argentina
Food pairings: Braised Duck with Apple
