Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
WINE DESCRIPTION
An excellent example of what microclimate blending can bring to Cabernet Sauvignon in Mendoza, this wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the lime, clay soil in Lot 3 of the La Pirámide vineyard and the sandy, lime soil of Lot 3 in the Domingo vineyard. The 2002 vintage was cooler than usual in La Pirámide, with average March temperatures at 1.5° C below normal, resulting in complex aromatics and firm structure. March conditions were slightly warmer than usual in Domingo, with average temperatures reaching 1.7° C above normal, offering generous cassis fruit flavors and touches of frosted mint. This vintage should be enjoyed in 5 to 7 years and will continue to improve over the following 12 to 14 years.
TASTING NOTES
The 2002 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon comes from three very distinct vineyard lots. Lot 3 of the La Pirámide vineyard presents exceptional homogeneity and balance in the vineyard, producing fruit with rich cassis aromas and flavors together with notes of tobacco and very soft, sweet tannins. Lot 2 of the Domingo vineyard is planted with clone 7 and the Mount Eden clone. Clone 7 in this vineyard site offers an expression of ripe concentrated red berry fruit and finely grained tannic structure. The Mount Eden clone has a very aromatic profile with elements of eucalyptus and mint interwoven with spicy black pepper notes. The high altitude vineyard site of Adrianna provides deep violet color, and excellent core of black cherries with floral notes and excellent structure.
