2018

DV Catena Malbec Historico

Argentina

Release Price

Drink Window

13.5

ABV

3.7

pH

5.8

TA

RS

From The Winemaker

The Catena wines are a special assemblage of High
Mountain Estate Vineyards made by fourth generation
vintner, Laura Catena and chief winemaker, Alejandro
Vigil. Although we have found that most of the Catena
wines are consumed shortly after release, we are
pleased to see that they age beautifully for ten to
twenty years. Through decades of study and
exploration within Mendoza's high altitude mountain
terroirs, the Catena family has identified special
locations for its Estate vineyards. From the marriage of
these historic vineyards merges a wine of unique
character that has natural balance, concentration and
a distinct varietal identity.

Growing Conditions

A Blend of two Vineyards - vineyards are divided into lots that are harvested at different times: Lunlunta 3,018 ft (920m) elevation: alluvial origin. Loamy clay in the topsoil with rounded rocks on the bottom. Eugenio Bustos 3,576 ft (1,090 m) elevation: alluvial origin. Loam-sandy soil with thick calcareous layers and rounded rocks on the bottom.

Aging

12 months in barrel. Barrel selection varies depending on vineyard and vintage -First, second and third use barrels used.

Harvest

“El Año Mendocino,” the Mendoza Year we call it. After a small cool vintage 2017, which we call “El Año Bordelés” (the Bordeaux Year) and a small, very cool and rainy year in 2016 “El Año Bourguignon” (the Burgundian year), we finally got a vintage that is classically Mendozan: dry, cool, sunny and with moderate yields in every region from the lowest to the highest altitudes.

The summer of 2017 started out warm but then cooled off during the 2018 harvest months of February, March and April. This, in addition to the lower rainfall, gave rise to optimal balance in the fruit, with beautiful natural acidity, regional aromatic expression and smooth tannins.

Past Vintages