Growing Conditions

- La Pirámide Vineyard: 3,117 ft (950 m). Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo Region, Mendoza, Argentina. Deep alluvial loam with 30% clay that decreases soil temperature by 35,6ºF (2ºC) in average. Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Domingo Vineyard: 3,675 ft (1,120 m). Villa Bastías District, Tupungato Region, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina. Surface is completely covered with gravel. Alluvial topsoil is loamy with limestone deposits at 11,8 inches (30cm). Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Nicasia Vineyard: 3,593 ft (1,095 m). Altamira en La Consulta District, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina. Very shallow loamy topsoil with surface gravel and gravelly (large stones) dry river bed subsoil - optimal drainage. Malbec.
- Adrianna Vineyard: 4,757 ft (1,450 m). Gualtallary District, Tupungato Region, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina. Alluvial, gravelly with limestone deposits in the topsoil. Malbec.

The winter of 2003 was drier than normal, with very little snow in the Andean heights. Average temperatures throughout this season were slightly higher than normal due to high altitude “Zonda” winds, a warm dry wind of the Andes. Spring began with similar conditions: warmer than usual temperatures, low relative humidity, heightened sunlight intensity and some high altitude zonda winds. These conditions combined for a higher than usual demand for water. The vines experienced an excellent bud break, right on schedule from September to October depending on the varietal and vineyard site.

The flowering and fruit set were better than normal, with a very balanced crop dispelling the local wisdom that such warm and windy conditions usually lead to set difficulties. The rest of Spring and the beginning of Summer continued with higher than average temperatures with some light precipitation serving to relieve the demands for water. Veraison in general took place later than normal, around the middle to end of January depending on the varietal and the vineyard site.

ADRIANNA VINEYARD - Gualtallary, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza, 4757 ft elevation
Located in the Gualtallary district of the Tupungato region at an altitude of 1450m (4757 ft) above sea level. As in other areas in Mendoza, the average temperatures in this vineyard site throughout the month of February were warmer than usual. The first two weeks of March, however brought considerably cooler conditions, with average temperatures a full 1º C (1.8º F) lower than normal. These below average temperatures allowed the Chardonnay grapes to finish their ripening in excellent climatic conditions, resulting in concentrated pear and apple fruit flavors and aromas with strong mineral notes and excellent acidity. Nicolas Catena mentions that, “The 2004 vintage should bring our best Chardonnays to date, especially the Catena Alta Chardonnay which is sourced entirely from the Adrianna vineyard.”

With the index of sunlight intensity already at heightened levels in this vineyard due to its altitude, the 2004 vintage, with its drier than usual conditions and lower relative humidity, saw an increased effect of this phenomenon on the Malbec grapes in particular. There was a marked increase in the skin thickness and the corresponding enhancement in polyphenol and phytoaxelin levels.