2005 Tikal Amorio Malbec

Tikal was established in 2002 by Ernesto Catena, who comes by his appreciation of wine naturally. He is the eldest son of Nicolas Catena, patriarch of Catena Zapata, one of Argentina’s premier wine producers. Winemaking has been in the Catena family for four generations, and Ernesto studied computer science, economics, design and history before starting Tikal. Tikal has 116 acres of vineyards, planted primarily to Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. All vineyards are certified as organic. Most of the grapes come from a vineyard situated at 3,576 feet above sea level in the heart of the Uco Valley in Mendoza. Tikal is one of several wine labels started by Ernesto, and it is named after his son.

Mendoza on the western edge of Argentina is the nation’s largest and most important wine producing region. With about a billion acres under vine, the region of Mendoza alone has nearly half as many vineyards acres as all of the United States. Located on the edge of the Andes, vineyards here are high, usually 2,000 to 3,600 feet above sea level, yet they enjoy a relatively temperate climate and four distinct seasons. The soil is sandy and alluvial with clay underneath and moderate rainfall encourages growth. Historically Argentina, and Mendoza, grew pink skin grapes for slightly sweet pink or white wines. Those grapes are still grown for bulk jug wine. Since the late 1980s, however, Malbec has been Mendoza’s most important grape, since it makes a rich, dark, robust, age-worth red. The second most important red grape is Bonarda, which is thought to be the same grape that California growers know as Charbono. Italian and Spanish red grapes including Sangiovese, Barbera and Tempranillo were brought by immigrants, and they are grown today. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Torrontés and numerous other red and white grapes are also grown successfully.