TASTING: Range of Bod Catena Zapata wines from Laura and Ernesto Catena, Sept 14, 2009

 The Time and Date: Monday, September 14, 2009   10AM to 12:30PM

The Event: a tasting of Alma Negra/La Posta/Luca/Tikal wines from Bodegas Catena Zapata in Argentina. The wines are repped by Calibrium.

The Venue: Liberty Village offices of Calibrium.

The Target Audience: wine media.

The Availability/Catalogue:

The Quote/Background: Celeste Pesce, Assistant Winemaker & Export Manager, led us through the 11 wines. These wines are made by Laura Catena in conjunction with her brother, Ernesto Catena. They are skillful wines: small quantities, artisan quality, and reflective of the terroir. Fruit is low-yielding from high elevation vineyards. Primarily French oak is used. For example, total production of Luca wines is 6000 cases spread across six wines. La Posta wines come from Catena's winegrowers. Tikal and Alma Negra are from Ernesto Catena, and reflect a full-bodied breezy style. Laura Catena has a spread of about 60% Malbec, 20% cabernet sauvignon, 15% chardonnay, and a few other grape varieties for the balance. All the wines are available through various distribution channels in Ontario: mostly consignment but also private orders.

The Wines: Most wines were high in alcohol, about 13.5% or more.

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Luca Chardonnay 2007, $29.95. elegant, somewhat burgundian in style, precise.

-Tikal Jubilo 2006, 50% cabernet sauvignon, 50% Malbec, $53.95. great cab hit. Six packs.

-Luca Nico 2004 (Malbec), $145. barrel fermented in oak, only 4 barrels produced each year (200 cases)

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-La Posta Cocina Blend 2008, $16.90. soon through consignment. 20% bonarda, 20% syrah, and 60% Malbec.

-La Posta Pizzella Family Vineyard Malbec 2008, $16.90. very ripe

-Alma Negra 2005 (bonarda), $23.45. second vintage.

-Tikal Patriota 2007 (60%bonarda,40%malbec), $29.95. 70% US oak.

-Luca Laborde Double Select Syrah 2007, $32.95. Rhonish

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-La Posta Estela Armando Vineyard Bonarda 2008, $13.45

-La Posta Angel Paulucci Vineyard Malbec 2008, $17.95. 2007 is in Vintages, 2008 coming in March 2010 (600 cases)

-Luca Malbec 2007, $36.95. 14% ABV

 

The Contact Person: agaunt@calibrium.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 87.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com