Vineyard: Angélica South, Parcel 5. El Cepillo, San Carlos, Valle de Uco, 1,090ft

Located in the southernmost part of the Uco Valley in El Cepillo, the Angelica Sur vineyard is a jewel in the making. This vineyard is a great example of the influence of terroir. It is planted with the Catena Cuttings, Catena's proprietary plant selection of Malbec, yet the wines are completely different, more tannic, all black fruit with not a hint of jamminess. One of the main difficulties with this vineyard is the frequency of frosts, which fortunately did not affect us this year.

After three years of low yields, 2013 brought us an average crop size. The Mendoza growers are pleased. Temperatures were generally cooler throughout summer and especially in early Autumn, leading to unusually high natural acidity (lower pH's) and relatively low sugar/alcohol levels - the perfect balance. Nights were cooler than average and harvest happened between 7 and 10 days later than usual, giving us bright aromatics in addition to the hang-time related velvetiness in the tannins.

We've been concerned over the lower than average amount of snow in the Andes and in the underground aquifers over the last two years. Although this season, there was more snow than last, we wonder if this is related to climate change.

The Catena Institute of Wine (our research branch) is preparing a multidisciplinary task force to address this topic with other wineries in Mendoza. Fortunately there were additional rains in spring which helped combat the dryness and gave us nice canopies and an optimal fruit set. Increased rain is also part of the climate change gurus' predictions.

The aromas of red fruits such as cherries and ripe plums, along with spicy fragrances such as black pepper and cloves, are perceived in this wine.

In the mouth it is a complex wine, of good body and structure, with soft and ripe tannins, and excellent length and intensity. At the end of the mouth delicate toasted flavors and vanilla appear.

18 months in French oak