Growing Conditions
A Blend of two Vineyards - vineyards are divided into lots that are harvested at different times: Agrelo 3,117 ft (950 m) elevation: alluvial origin. Clay topsoil with rounded rocks on the bottom. Villa Bastías 3,675 ft (1,120 m) elevation: aluvial origin. Silt loamy soil with limestone on the bottom.
Harvest
Low yields due to moderate frosts in the UCO Valley, an early harvest, and perfect balance. Laura Catena’s favorite vintage since 1995. After Harvest 2016, the smallest and coldest in three decades thanks to El Niño, Mendoza's wine producers were mourning their empty wineries and hoping for a big crop.
But only Mother Nature gets to decide, and in 2017 we had another year of small yields—especially in the UCO Valley where most of our family’s vineyards are located. Spring frosts brought on by dryer and slightly cooler weather resulted in lower yields, and the UCO Valley Malbec was down 55%.
Winemaking
This wine goes through an extensive cold maceration for 5 days at 48ºF (8,8ºC) to extract aromas. The juice is then fermented for 15 days with a post-fermentation maceration of 19-23 days. Wild Yeasts.
Aging
12 months in barrel. Barrel selection varies depending on vineyard and vintage -First, second and third use barrels used.
