Nose
Red fruit aromas, such as cherries and ripe plums along with spicy fragrances, like black pepper provided by La Pirámide vineyard, are perceived.
Palate
In the mouth it is a complex wine, of good body and structure, soft tannins, ripe and with excellent length and intensity. At the end of the mouth appear delicate toasted flavors and vanilla.
Growing Conditions
The 2012 harvest is all about low yields and the extraordinary richness and concentration that resulted from them. Because there was very little spring-time snow in the Andes, the season started with a natural water stress situation throughout Mendoza. On the 23 of September there was a generalized severe frost that affected all the regions of Mendoza from Lujan de Cuyo to El Este and to the Uco Valley. We saw lower yields in Malbec, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Bonarda and Chardonnay because these varieties were just starting budbreak. Cabernet Sauvignon was spared because budbreak had not started yet – yields remained at a normal level for Cabernet. This frost was different from the frost of 2010, where some areas like Eugenio Bustos in the Southern Uco Valley saw their whole production wiped out. The 2010 frosts were spotty and affected only a few areas. The 2011 frost was much more generalized.
THE ZONDA WIND: On November 8th, during flowering for many vineyards and varieties, a very fierce Zonda wind hit Mendoza and San Juan and affected mostly the Malbec, Syrah and Chardonnay fruit (reducing yields further). Many roads were blocked by fallen trees, and the air was heavy as the winds picked up sand and earth. Yet again, the cabernet sauvignon was generally spared because flowering had not yet started.
OTHER CLIMATIC FACTS: Because there was a heat wave at the beginning of January, we were expecting the harvest for the reds to happen 10 days early. But then it really cooled off in the late summer-early autumn months of February, March and April, and there were no botrytis-causing rains. So finally, the harvest ended up happening at the normal time in most vineyards.
ALMOST NO HAIL: To add to our luck, there was almost no hail, just a little bit in Medrano, Junin and San Juan. None of the Catena Zapata vineyards in Mendoza were affected.
A YEAR OF PERFECT NATURAL ACIDITY: Because of the cool weather in February, March and April and the general dryness of the vintage (there was little snow and little rain) the nights were cooler than most other years and natural acid retention was phenomenal throughout the province. In the 2012 juice we have the perfect combination of not-too-high alcohol (because of the cool feb-april), high natural acidity and concentrated anthocyanins (color) and tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon – the latest ripener – was in absolutely perfect condition, with no rot, beautiful concentration and flavors (none of the over-ripe stuff) and optimal natural acidity.
THE RESULTS: Yields for Malbec were 10-50% down throughout the province. In the Catena Zapata Malbec vineyards, yields were down between 20 and 50% - lowest in our vineyards in Altamira (Nicasia Vineyard). We farm our vineyards for low yields already, so the effects were dramatic. If ever somebody had doubts that yields matter for quality, this year definitely proves that they do, and that low yields are essential if one is making wines of concentration and balance. You should see the incredibly dark color – inky – of the Malbecs, the density and richness of tannins, the depth of the wines. Everything was good this year – even varieties like Bonarda and Syrah that often vary from year to year, had remarkable concentration.
Winemaking
Fermentation: 11 days at a temperature between 27° - 29° C.
Aging
18 months in 100% French oak.
Appearance
Elegant and complex wine, deep dusky red colored with ruby sparkles.
