Catena Zapata(2003)

March 28 2003.
Adrianna Vineyard: April 6, 2003.

Malbec: Adrianna Vineyard: April 26 2003.
Altamira a Vineyard: April 20, 2003.
Fermentation: Cabernet: La Piramide Vineyard: Max temp. 28° C, 30 day maceration.
Domingo Vineyard: Max temp. 26° C, 28 day maceration.
Adrianna Vineyard: Max temp. 30° C, 31 day maceration.

Malbec: Adrianna Vineyard: Max temp. 30° C, 31 day maceration.
Altamira Vineyard: Max temp. 29° C, 30 day maceration.
Aging: 24 months in 100% new French oak
Alcohol: 13.9% vol.
Acidity/pH: 5.70/3.72
Fining/Filtration: Unfined/Unfiltered
Production: 1,500 9 liter cases

Tasting Notes
The 2003 Growing Season:
The 2003 vintage was exceptionally dry, even for the desert climate of Mendoza. The temperature profile was right at the historic norm for the season, while the last two months before harvest saw the onset of colder nighttime conditions. This increase in thermal amplitude meant that the vines expended less energy than usual at night, energy which was then available to be used in the ripening process.

The Vineyards:
The core Cabernet Sauvignon fruit component was sourced from Lot 3 of La Pirámide vineyard. With exceptional homogeneity and balance, these Cabernet Sauvignon grapes offer rich cassis flavors, supple texture and excellent structure. Two additional components of Cabernet Sauvignon were sourced from Lot 2 of the Domingo Vineyard and Lot 5 of the Adrianna Vineyard. These high altitude, cool climate vineyards provide fruit with ripe red currant flavors, strong mineral tones and notes of eucalyptus and black pepper.

The core Malbec fruit component was sourced from Lot 3 of the Adrianna Vineyard, the highest Malbec vineyard in Mendoza. This extremely cold, mountain microclimate produces exceptionally concentrated Malbec grapes with dark fruit flavors, perfumed violet aromas and well structured tannins. A second component is sourced from Lot 1 of the southerly located Altamira vineyard. Another cool area for Malbec, the fruit from this vineyard presents ripe cassis flavors and well balanced, racy acidity.    (hide)