Alta Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Located at the foot of the Andes Mountains, the Catena Zapata estate cultivates its Cabernet Sauvignon vines on the high plateaus of Mendoza, mainly in the Luján de Cuyo and Uco Valley regions. The plots, planted at high altitude on poor alluvial soils combining gravel, sand, and calcareous deposits, benefit from intense sunlight and cool nights. This thermal contrast promotes a slow ripening of the grapes and preserves freshness, giving rise to a Cabernet with a structured, precise profile marked by its Andean origin.

The grapes for this high-altitude Cabernet Sauvignon are hand-harvested, parcel by parcel, to preserve the integrity of the berries and express the singularity of the Andean terroirs. After careful sorting, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled tanks to promote a fine extraction of aromas and tannins. Aging then continues in oak barrels, a proportion of which are new, for an extended period, allowing the structure to be refined, aromatic complexity to be brought out, and the oak to be harmoniously integrated with the fruit.

This wine reveals notes of ripe blackcurrant, black cherry, and plum, complemented by floral touches evoking violet, spicy nuances of pepper and clove, as well as woody accents of cedar, vanilla, and sweet tobacco. The palate offers a full body, with firm but polished tannins, supported by a fresh acidity that lengthens the finish, leaving an impression of structure, balance, and aromatic persistence.

Although Argentina is often considered part of the "New World," its winemaking tradition is much older than one might think, dating back to the Spanish colonization of the 16th century and later to Italian settlers. Unlike Chile, wine has long been an integral part of the country's culture. No other wine-producing country in the world made more progress in the latter years of the 20th century (in viticulture, oenology, and, of course, finance), which allowed the country's winemakers to raise quality levels and successfully establish an international export market. Argentina is now the fifth largest wine-producing country in the world, after France, Italy, Spain, and the United States. Viticulture is practiced primarily in the foothills of the Andes, particularly in Mendoza, where the desert landscapes and high altitudes combine to create aromatic and intensely flavorful wines. Some vineyards are even planted at altitudes of up to 3,000 meters! The terroir here is well-suited to the grape variety adopted by Argentina: the ubiquitous Malbec. Originally from Bordeaux, it is now the source of some of Argentina's most famous wines, characterized by their brilliance and intensity, with floral notes and dark fruit flavors. Other red varieties produced in Argentina include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bonarda, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Pinot Noir. Among white wines, the emblematic grape of the Argentine wine region is Torrontés, which yields a wine with a floral and tropical taste. The country also produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio. Today, Argentine wines are recognized worldwide for their full-bodied reds and as being of high quality.