2019

DV Catena Malbec Historico

Argentina

Release Price

Drink Window

13.5

ABV

3.6

pH

5.95

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

Dry weather (precipitations 20-60% lower than usual), small berries and slightly lower yields; cooler temperatures overall. The 2019 harvest happened about 1-3 weeks earlier than usual, and the grapes were in pristine condition with not a drop of botrytis or downy mildew.

We were concerned that there would be problems with frost, because of the dry spring, but a constant evening breeze made frosts rare this year. And outside of Agrelo, there were no significant hail storms. We expected the harvest to be larger than usual, but the combination of dry weather and cool climate resulted in yields slightly lower than the norm.