Ernesto Catena Alma Negra Red Blend 2018

Ernesto Catena is a fourth-generation winemaker and the eldest son of Nicolas Catena. Ernesto grew up in the world of wine in Mendoza and his father Nicolas was a pioneer of the Argentina wine revolution. Ernesto felt the need to produce his own wines to reflect his basic beliefs in quality, creativity, small volumes and wine as a strong narrative. The majority of the grapes (including all the Siesta wines) come from his 178-acre vineyard in the Uco Valley’s Vistaflores. Planted in 2002 and certified organic in 2011 and biodynamic in 2012.
Ernest is a raw free thinker with radical ideas making their ways into his wines. He has also built a zero input winery on his property for the Tikal wines, running on gravity and solar. Roaming the vineyard you’ll meet an Alpaca herd and stumble into his extensive Patagonian Rose garden. Ernesto Catena offers a rethink of his father’s Argentinian wine revolution.

Shop Ernesto Catena Vineyards

Bonarda is a red wine grape variety that is primarily grown in Argentina and in the Piedmont region of Italy. In Argentina, the grape is known as "Bonarda" while in Italy it's known as "Croatina". It's a grape that is used to make wine on both countries, but the style and characteristics can differ depending on where it's grown.

In Argentina, Bonarda wine is known for its deep color, rich, fruity aroma and flavors, and relatively high alcohol content. They are often aged in oak barrels which gives them a smooth, round texture and subtle vanilla or toast flavors. These wines are typically robust, with high tannins and acidity, which makes them well suited to pair with hearty and flavorful meat dishes.

In Italy, Bonarda is used as a blending grape variety in making Piedmont wine "Bonarda dell'Oltrepò Pavese DOC" . The grapes grown here have different characteristics than those grown in Argentina, it's mostly used to blend with Barbera, it provides alcohol and tannins while Barbera brings acidity, color and fruitiness. This creates balanced, fruity, and easy-drinking wines, with low tannins and higher acidity.

Shop Bonarda Wine

Malbec is a red wine grape variety that is originally from France. It is now primarily grown in Argentina, where it has become one of the country's most successful and recognizable exports. The grape produces a deep purple wine with dark fruit flavors, such as blackberry and plum, along with notes of spice and tobacco.

Malbec wines tend to be full-bodied with moderate acidity and medium to high tannins. They are often aged in oak barrels to give them a smooth, round texture and subtle vanilla or toast flavors. Malbec pairs well with red meats, particularly beef, and hearty, flavorful cheeses.

Shop Malbec Wine

Petit Verdot is a red grape variety that is mainly used as a blending grape in Bordeaux-style wines. However, in recent years, it has gained popularity as a varietal wine in some regions, such as Argentina, Australia, and California.
Petit Verdot wines are known for their deep color, high tannins, and intense flavors of dark fruits, such as blackberry, black cherry, and black currant. They also often exhibit floral notes, such as violet and lavender, as well as herbal and spicy undertones.

The wines can be quite full-bodied and powerful, with a firm structure that can benefit from aging. They typically have a long finish and can pair well with hearty dishes such as red meats and stews.

Shop Petit Verdot Wine