Nicolás Catena Zapata was the first to see the potential of Mendoza’s mountain vineyards for producing high quality wines. In the early 1990s, he developed the first Argentine Malbec clonal selection, known as the Catena cuttings. In 1994, Nicolás became the first Argentine to export Malbec that could stand with the best wines in the world. He has been awarded the Decanter Magazine’s Man of the Year award in 2009 and the Wine Spectator Distinguished Service Award in 2012 in recognition of his pioneering work in modernizing viticulture and winemaking in Argentina. Nicolás’ vision led to Catena being the first Argentine wine to receive over 90 points from Wine Spectator (1994) and 98+ points from Robert Parker (for the 2004 Nicolas Catena Zapata). Today, Catena Zapata wines consistently garner high acclaim and are thus sought after by collectors and connoisseurs from around the globe.

Laura Catena, Nicolás’ daughter, a Harvard and Stanford educated physician, continues the family’s tradition and relentless pursuit of world-class quality from the family’s high altitude vineyards: Adrianna, Angélica, Domingo, La Pirámide, and Nicasia. Her extensive study of soil and climate and expertise in blending wines from Mendoza’s different microclimates has helped Catena continue its leadership position within Argentine viticulture. Laura has traveled the globe to lecture about Argentine wines and viticulture, and authored the first book about Argentine wine by a US publisher: Vino Argentino: An Insider’s Guide to the Wines and Wine Country of Argentina (Chronicle Books, 2010).

Nicolás and Laura have a deep commitment to the welfare of their native Argentina. Laura has led an effort to define the Appellations of Mendoza and create a sustainability certification for the region. The Catena Institute has collaborated with the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, UC Davis, and Université de Montpellier in research aimed at improving the quality of Argentine wine. Nicolás’ mother, Angélica Zapata, was the headmaster of the local public school. Inspired by her belief that every child has the right to a world-class education, the Catena family has funded dozens of Ph.D theses and graduate studies for employees and their children, as well as for top students in the area.

Head winemaker Alejandro Vigil has been at Catena Zapata since 2002 and works with Laura and Nicolás to make wines that retain the style and expressivity of the family’s vineyards and palate.

Bodega Catena Zapata:110 Years of Elevating Argentine Wine

“In the 1980s, Nicolás Catena Zapata changed the history of Argentine wine when he dared to believe that a wine could be made in Mendoza that would stand with the best of the world. Planting Malbec at an altitude where no one thought it would ripen, studying climate and soil to the smallest detail, developing the first ever plant selection of Argentine Malbec, my father and I have embarked on a journey to make a wine with soul, a wine of character, a wine that will age for the generations to come, from our four cherished vineyards: La Pirámide, Adrianna, Domingo, and Nicasia.”

Laura Catena, Fourth Generation Vintner

Catena Alta Malbec 2012

VINEYARDSHarvest time varies depending on each row’s soil composition. Harvest time can vary by several weeks between one row and another within the same vineyard.

Angélica Vineyard, Block 18: 3,018 ft elevation.Located right next to a 130-foot ravine that ends in the dry riverbed of the Rio Mendoza. Thin alluvial soils with mixed gravel, loam, and clay.

La Pirámide Vineyard, Block 4: 3,117 ft elevation.Deep alluvial loam with 30% clay that decreases soil temperature by 3.6°F on average.

Nicasia Vineyard, Block 1: 3,593 ft elevation.Very shallow loamy topsoil with surface gravel and gravelly large stones, dry riverbed subsoil - optimal drainage.

Adrianna Vineyard, Block 3 and Block 9: 4,757 ft elevation.Alluvial, gravelly with limestone deposits in the topsoil. Block 9 is planted at high density

Plant selection: Catena Cuttings Malbec selection.

TECHNICAL INFORMATIONWinemaker: Alejandro VigilVarietal: 100% MalbecAlcohol: 14.0%Total Acidity: 5.6 grams/literpH: 3.7Unfined and unfiltered

ACCLAIM2011 Wine & Spirits 94 points Wine Spectator 90 points2010 Wine Advocate 94 points Wine & Spirits 93 points IWC 92 points Wine Spectator 91 points2009 Wine Advocate 94 points IWC 92 points Wine Spectator 91 points Wine Enthusiast 92 points2008 Wine Advocate 92 points IWC 92 points

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

WINE DESCRIPTIONNicola Catena planted his first Malbec vineyard in Mendoza in 1902. His grandson, Nicolás Catena, is known as the man who revolutionized Argentine wine and introduced high altitude Malbec to the world. The historic Catena Zapata vineyards are planted with the Catena family’s proprietary selection of Malbec plants: the Catena Cuttings. Catena Alta Malbec is sourced from Block 18 of the Angélica vineyard, Block 4 of the La Pirámide vineyard, Block 1 of the Nicasia vineyard and Blocks 3 & 9 of the Adrianna vineyard.

TASTING NOTECatena Alta Malbec is deep violet in color with indigo highlights. The nose has aromas of ripe red and black berry fruits with notes of violets and lavender and hints of leather and a touch of spices. The wine is full-bodied and rich, with sweet tannins and a smooth structure, offering multiple layers of of blackberries and black currant with hints of licorice, vanilla, and black pepper. This wine’s lengthy finish shows beautiful minerality with fine tannins and lively acidity.

VINIFICATIONVineyard rows 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. Rows from each vineyard are treated individually. Fermentation and maceration vary by row. 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.

©2015 Selected and Imported by Winebow, Inc. New York, NY • www.winebow.comBodega Catena Zapata • www.catenawines.com • BCZ00008942