2021 Luca Malbec Old Vine

Luca is Laura Catena's private project. Laura has made her mark on the wine world and is often called "the face of Argentine wine" because of her significant contributions to the country. She recently presented her 100-year plan: "I want every collector in the world to have Nicolás Catena Zapata in their cellar—that's my dream."

Another dream of Laura Catena was the founding of Luca, named after her eldest son. With Luca, she aims to produce quality wines, where perfect terroir, low yields per hectare, and state-of-the-art winemaking are key. Luca's vineyards are located at altitudes between 900 and 1500 meters and are among the highest in Mendoza. Here, you'll find old vines that, while no longer producing much, maintain the vineyard's high quality (and therefore the wines). She aims to showcase the best expression of each grape variety. Luca has planted six grape varieties in total: Chardonnay, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.

Revitalizing the old Malbec vines of Mendoza is the goal of Laura Catena, founder of Luca Wines. The grapes from these vines, once lost to bulk production, are now receiving the recognition they deserve. Yields are kept low to maintain high quality. Traditional vinification takes place, followed by twelve months of aging in oak barrels, 35% of which are new and the rest second-year. The wine has excellent aging potential. The result is a deep-colored Malbec with red and black fruit and a delicious spiciness. It pairs beautifully with Argentinian steak, but also pairs well with semi-hard cheeses. The Malbec Old Vines is purple-red in the glass, with a nose of red and black fruit, abundant spice, and notes of chocolate. On the palate, the aroma of cherries emerges, accompanied by a hint of espresso in the background. The wine has a full body and lively acidity, resulting in a lingering finish.