Don Domingo Vicente Catena, Nicolas Catena Zapata's father, was famous in the 1930's for his deep dark red wine blend. This blend was sold in the French-styled bistros of Buenos Aires - the Paris of South America - as the finest wine from the Mendoza region. This wine, DV Catena Tinto Historico Red Blend, is made in honor of Don Domingo Catena and his legendary abilities as a Master of the Assemblage. The Catena wines are a special assemblage of High Mountain Estate Vineyards made by fourth generation vintner, Laura Catena and chief winemaker, Alejandro Vigil. Although we have found that most of the Catena wines are consumed shortly after release, we are pleased to see that they age beautifully for ten to twenty years.

This cuvée takes its name from a small parcel of the Adrianna Vineyard that is completely covered with oval white stones and was the site of an ancient riverbed. The abundant stones provide optimal drainage and extreme temperatures. They absorb heat and moderate the nights, but also function like ice cubes after a very cold night. Stony soil Malbecs tend to be extremely aromatic, rich and luxurious, just like the River Malbec from Adrianna. This wine can be enjoyed young or aged for decades.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Cold maceration 50% Whole Cluster
Fermentation: In 225 liter oak barrels and 500 liter French oak rollfermentors for 17-22 days
Max. Fermentation Temperature: 25-30° C, 10-15 days maceration
Aging: 18-21 months in French Oak barrel. 1-2 years old barrels
Varietal: 100% Malbec
Alcohol: 14%
Total Acidity: 6.9 grams/liter
pH: 3.6
500 lts foudres
Wild yeasts
Key Word Descriptors: floral, exuberant, lengthy smooth tannins, metallic

VINEYARD
Adrianna Vineyard: Gualtallary District, Tupungato Alto Region, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina
Parcel Name: River
Parcel Surface: 2.6 Hectares
Soil composition: Alluvial origin. White stones covered by calcium carbonate. Ancient river bed
Altitude: 4.482 ft (1.366 m) elevation