15 / 128
WINES OF ARGENTINA
13
Catena Alta
Catena Alta wines are an assemblage of historic rows, identified and selected after years of viticultural
research, within the Catena family estate vineyards. The blend of these historic rows yields a highly aromatic
and elegant wine that speaks for the earth and the vines that have been tended by the Catena Family for
four generations. The Catena Alta wines can usually be consumed three years after harvest and into the
following one to two decades.
Catena Alta Chardonnay
The Catena Alta Chardonnay is produced from two of the Catena family vineyards—the Adrianna
Vineyard at almost 5,000 feet and the Domingo Vineyard at 3,700 feet. The Adrianna Vineyard’s
calcareous soils and cool climate are ideal for growing Chardonnay. The fruit from Adrianna has a purity
of flavors and a minerality that is particular to this vineyard and cannot be found anywhere else in
Mendoza. The nearby gravel-covered Domingo Vineyard makes up 20 percent of the blend. Catena Alta
Chardonnay shows an intense green yellow color with golden highlights. The nose offers ripe white fruit
aromas such as pears and peaches that are interwoven with delicate citrus and floral notes, such as
jasmine. The palate shows rich and concentrated ripe pear, apple and apricot flavors with a light note of
minerality. The wine finishes long and complex with crisp, mineral acidity. Whole clusters are pressed, and
fermented in French oak barrels with natural yeasts at low temperatures. The wine is aged for twelve to
sixteen months in French oak and a little over two-thirds of it undergoes malolactic fermentation.
2014:
94 JS |
2013:
92 WA |
2012:
91 WA |
2011:
92 WA |
2010:
93 WA |
2009:
92 WA |
2008:
93 V
Catena Alta Malbec
The historic Catena Zapata vineyards are planted with the Catena family’s proprietary selection of Malbec
plants: the Catena Cuttings. Catena Alta Malbec is sourced from Block 18 of the Angélica vineyard,
Block 4 of the La Pirámide vineyard, Block 1 of the Nicasia vineyard and Blocks 3 and 9 of the Adrianna
vineyard. Catena Alta Malbec is deep violet in color with indigo highlights. The nose has aromas of ripe
red and blackberry fruits with notes of violets and lavender, and hints of leather and a touch of spices.
The wine is full-bodied and rich, with sweet tannins and a smooth structure, offering multiple layers of
blackberries and black currant with hints of licorice, vanilla, and black pepper. This wine’s lengthy finish
shows beautiful minerality with fine tannins and lively acidity. Vineyard rows are harvested at different
times to ensure optimal natural acidity and moderate alcohol levels. Whole berries are hand-loaded into
small-format fermentation bins and French oak barrels. Rows from each vineyard are treated individually;
fermentation and maceration vary by row. Thirty percent of the berries undergo cold maceration and
then alcoholic and malolactic fermentation take place in-barrel. The wine is aged for eighteen months in
French oak.
2013:
94 JS |
2012:
94+ WA |
2011:
94 W&S |
2010:
94 WA |
2009:
94 WA |
2008:
92 WA |
2007:
93 WS