Catena Malbec Argentino 2021 x6

Vintage: 2021

TEN CENTURIES OF LIFE, DEATH AND REBIRTH

The rich history of the esteemed Malbec grape is unparalleled and the label for Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino honors its journey from France to Argentina. Four female figures represent key moments in the grape's history. Eleanor of Aquitaine signifies the origin of Malbec, embodying the strong Old World presence at the bridge in Cahors where the grape reached its full potential. The Immigrant symbolizes the move to the New World and the brave explorers who connected Europe to the Americas. Phylloxera represents the death of Malbec in the Old World, leading to its revival in the New World. Adrianna Catena, representing Bodega Catena Zapata, depicts birth, nature, and nurturing, sharing the bounty of the New World. Today, the fourth generation of the Catena family leads the high-altitude resurgence of Malbec in Argentina, restoring the grape to its rightful place in the sky.

With each vintage, this wine embodies more than a century of family legacy and dedication towards crafting a Malbec that can rival the world's finest wines.

VINIFICATION

The wine production process for Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino involves a combination of 20% whole cluster and 80% whole berry fruit, hand-loaded into new French oak barrels ranging from 225 to 500 liters.

The wine undergoes a 100% barrel fermentation for 28 days, which allows for smooth integration of oak flavors. The low fermentation temperature maximizes the extraction of intense aromas, and manual cap management ensures soft, delicate flavors and tannin extraction. The use of wild yeasts results in a more natural fermentation process. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations occur in the barrel, leaving behind a substantial amount of lees and sediment.

Finally, the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months, contributing to its rich and complex flavor profile.

VINEYARDS

The Catena Zapata Family Vineyards, Nicasia and Angélica, are home to some of the oldest vines, known as "The Catena Cuttings", originating from a pre-phyloxeric Massale Selection from the Angélica Vineyard. Harvest timing varies based on the unique soil composition of each lot, leading to a range of several weeks between lots within the same vineyard.

Nicasia Vineyard, named after Nicolás Catena Zapata's grandmother, boasts shallow loamy soil with gravel on the surface and topsoil. Located in the La Consulta District in the San Carlos Region of Mendoza, Argentina, it sits at an altitude of 3,593 ft (1,095 m). Planted in 1996, this 26-year-old vineyard provides exceptional grapes.

Angélica Vineyard, named after Nicolás Catena Zapata's mother, is located in the Lunlunta District of the Maipú Region in Mendoza, Argentina, with soil comprised of light gravel, loam, and clay adjacent to a dry river bed. With a 3,018 ft (920 m) elevation, this 92-year-old vineyard, planted circa 1930, offers rich and complex grapes.

Wine Director: Alejandro Vigil