Tasting N^o 250 – February 28, 2023 – 12:30pm  Wines from Mendoza, Argentina

Capri Ristorante, McLean VA

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1. Tasting Overview

Objective:

The main objective of this tasting is to compare three red wines of the same varietal – MALBEC, from the same Bodega – Catena Zapata. In addition, one white wine from the same winery will be tasted.

Type of tasting: semi- blind; the names of the wines are provided.

Presenters:

Clara Estrada and Jorge García-García

Participants:  TBA

These are the wines:

1. Catena Zapata ‘Appellation White Clay’, Semillon-Chenin, 2020
2. Catena Zapata ’Catena Alta’, Malbec, 2018
3. Catena Zapata, ‘Catena Appellation La Consulta’ Malbec, 2019
4. Catena Zapata ‘Catena Appellation Paraje Altamira’ Malbec, 2019The Men

• Menu

  • Mussels in a light white wine sauce
  • Homemade Agnolotti with fresh spinach in tomato sauce
  • Beef medallions
  • Coffee, tea and dessert

   

  2. Information about the Catena Zapata Winery
     

     a .General Information

  The winery was founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena and was passed to his son Domingo. Domingo’s son, Nicolás Catena Zapata (A.K.A. Nicolás Catena), was a pioneer to introduce European winemaking techniques to Argentina, including the introduction of Malbec and vine growing in high altitudes. Nicolás is recognized as the vintner who revolutionized wine quality in Argentina.

  All wines are produced at high altitude in the winery located in Luján de Cuyo from grapes produced in different vineyards in the Mendoza Region, Argentina (see map above). The Catena Zapata wines are a blend of single varietal lots from the Catena family’s vineyards. Over the years, Nicolás Catena discovered the influence altitude has on fruit quality. As one climbs the altitudes of the Andes the average temperature decreases and the amplitude between day and night temperatures increases. This environment provides the ideal climate for grape maturation. Each of the Catena Zapata family vineyards is divided into parcels according to their soil composition. Each vineyard is divided into lots that are harvested separately, and especially prepared to be part of the final blend of each Catena wine: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Chardonnay. (See https://catenazapata.com/adrianna-vineyard.php for more information about the different vineyards).

  B. Vinification

  Vineyard lots 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 225-500 L barrels; lots from each vineyard are treated individually; fermentation and maceration last for 28-30 days; cold maceration. Wild yeasts. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrel; wine undergoes active battonage to protect it and drastically reduce the amount of SO2 needed. Aged for 18 months in French oak.

  C. Historic Rows

  Catena Alta is an assemblage of historic rows within the Catena family Estate vineyards. The blend of these historic rows, like the marriage of sounds that create a symphony, yields a highly aromatic and elegant wine that speaks for the earth and the vines that have been tended by the Catena’s for four generations. The Catena Alta wines can usually be drunk starting three years after harvest and into the following one to two decades.

  Sources: https://catenazapata.com/catena-alta-wines.php

  https://catenazapata.com/index.php.

   

  3. Information on the Wines

  Wine #1.  Catena – Appellation White Clay, 2020

  • Year – 2020
  • Varietal: White blend Semillon 60%; Chenin Blanc 40% from Luján de Cuyo
  • Eight months in French
  • Total Acidity: 6.4 grams/liter in tartaric acid; pH: 3.2
  • 13% APV
  • 92 pts (Vinous); 90pts. (Wine Advocate)

  Tasting notes: Deeply aromatic with expressive citrus and peach with a rich and mineral finish. Pairs well with vegetables, pasta and grilled white meat (Catena).

  “Yellow with a golden sheen. The nose is dominated by white flowers, honey and the aging process. In the mouth, this is voluminous with mild freshness and a creamy, compact, terse feel followed by a long, oaky finish.” (Vinous);

  “The grapes were harvested quite early and then fermented in stainless steel, managing to keep the alcohol to 13.5% in this warm and dry year. It’s balsamic and medicinal, with notes of yellow fruit and some spicy smokiness, as 35% of the wine matured in new barrels for seven to eight months. It’s soft and creamy without excess, combining volume and tasty flavors and a bitter twist in the finish” (Wine Advocate).

  Wine #2. Catena Alta, Malbec, 2018

  • Year – 2018
  • Varietal: 100% Malbec
  • Vineyards: Angelica; La Pirámide; Nicasia; Adrianna; Angelica Sur.
  • Vineyard lots harvested at different times to ensure optimal natural acidity and moderate alcohol levels.
  • Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrel; active battonage
  • Aged 18 months in French oak.
  • Total Acidity: 6.2 grams/liter; pH: 3.55
  • Unclarified and unfiltered
  • 8% APV
  • 93 pts. (Wine Advocate)

  Winemaker notes: after many years of research and experimentation, Nicolas and his daughter identified their best vineyard rows of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Malbec and made the first vintages of the Catena Alta wines in very small quantities. Catena Alta continues to be a limited production of single varietal wines made from the selected few rows in the Catena family’s vineyards. These special barrels undergo a rigorous second selection at the winery. The Catena Alta wines can usually be enjoyed starting three years after harvest and into the following one to two decades.

  Tasting notes: “The 2018 Catena Alta Malbec shows more evolution and ripeness than the 2019. It’s varietal and floral with a mixture of red and black fruit, sweet spices and aromatic herbs. It has moderate ripeness—in fact, it’s a little lower in alcohol than the 2019—a medium body and fine-grained tannins, with good grip”. (Wine Advocate).

   

  Wine #3.  Catena, Appellation La Consulta, 2019

  • Year – 2019
  • Varietal: 100% Malbec
  • La Consulta vineyard; cold maceration; fermentation 16 days + post maceration 10 days.
  • Aged 12 months in French oak.
  • Total Acidity: 5.85 grams/liter; pH: 3.65
  • 5 APV
  • 92 pts (Wine Advocate)

  Winemaker notes:  In the 1950s, Don Domingo Catena began sourcing Malbec from the Vineyards of La Consulta. The combination of intense sunlight and cool nights yielded a wine that Domingo prized for its deep purple color, black fruit aromatics and rich velvety tannins.  https://catenazapata.com/index.php

  Tasting notes: The Catena Malbec Appellation La Consulta shows a dark violet color with deep purple tones. The nose offers aromas like red fruit and ripe, concentrated dark berries with fresh herbs and floral notes like lavender and violets, some traces of vanilla and tobacco. The mouthfeel is rich, with raspberries and blueberries, spices notes and a touch of mocha. The finish presents soft and well-structured tannins with bright, crisp acidity that gives the wine exceptional length.(Winemaker notes, taken from Wine.com??).

  The 2019 Appellation La Consulta Malbec feels primary and fruit-driven, quite faithful to the varietal and vintage, with good freshness and moderate alcohol. It was juicy, with some of the chalky texture of the stony soils. 90,000 bottles produced. (Wine Advocate).

   

  Wine #4. Catena – Appellation Paraje Altamira, 2019

  • Year – 2019
  • Varietal: 100% Malbec
  • Altamira vineyard; cold maceration; fermentation 16 days + post maceration 10 days.
  • Aged 12 months in French oak.
  • Total Acidity: 5.95 grams/liter; pH: 3.6
  • 5% APV
  • 93 pts. (Wine Advocate); 93 pts. (Robert Parker)

  Winemaker notes. In the 1950s, Don Domingo Catena began sourcing Malbec from the Vineyards of Paraje Altamira in the Uco Valley. The combination of intense sunlight and cool nights yielded an elegant, mineral, slightly spicy Malbec with a deep texture and flavors. tannins. It is an elegant, mineral, slightly spicy Malbec with a deep texture and flavors born of the combination of intense sunlight and cool nights. Perfect paired with meat, fish, fowl and vegetarian dishes.

  “Following the path of the 2018, the 2019 Appellation Paraje Altamira Malbec is phenomenal. It shows freshness, elegance, balance, complexity and nuance as well. It’s seamless, precise and ethereal with lots of inner energy and light. As the 2018 was, it’s expressive and floral, varietal and with the full chalky texture that is a distinct characteristic of Altamira. It’s tasty, the tannins are polished and there is an almost salty sensation in the finish” (Wine Advocate).

  For more information about the harvests for the vintages selected see: https://catenazapata.com/harvest-2019.php.

   

  CV Members Ratings (prepared by the CD)

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An Insider’s Guide to the Wines & Wine Country of Argentina | Laura Catena | Talks at Google

Contribution of Juan Luis Colaiacovo

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