Catena Chardonnay

Catena Chardonnay

For over four generations, the Catena family has grown vines in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Mendoza, Argentina. Laura Catena, great-granddaughter of winery founder Nicola Catena, has created a richly textured Chardonnay blend with floral notes, ripe tropical-fruit flavors, a strong mineral character and excellent acidity. Catena Chardonnay is sourced from three of the family´s vineyards in Luján de Cuyo and Tupungato. In Agrelo, in Luján de Cuyo, the La Pirámide Vineyard grapes lend the wine ripe citrus and stone fruit aromas and flavors. Fruit from the Domingo Vineyard in the Villa Bastías district of Tupungato emphasizes those stone fruit flavors and gives the wine its rich texture and mouthfeel. The high-altitude Adrianna Vineyard in the Gualtallary district of Tupungato produces grapes with lively floral notes, a pronounced minerality, and a crisp, cool-climate acidity. From the marriage of these historic parcels emerges a wine of a unique character that has natural balance, concentration, and a distinct varietal identity.

Tasting Notes

The Catena Chardonnay combines the unique expressions of three high-altitude vineyard sites. The wine shows an intense straw yellow color with greenish highlights. The extraordinary combination of vineyards offers concentrated aromas of ripe citrus and honeyed tropical fruits with notes of peaches, white flowers, and spicy vanilla. On the palate, citrus and stone fruit flavors abound followed by flavors of pear and ripe melon with vanilla, sweet spice, and toast. The finish is fresh and crisp leaving traces of minerality on the palate that entice one to another sip.

Food Pairing

This wine would be a fantastic companion a variety of poultry dishes, dishes finished with a Nantua sauce, or to a rich seafood dish like Shrimp and Herb Risotto.

For over four generations, the Catena family has grown vines in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Mendoza, Argentina. Laura Catena, great-granddaughter of winery founder Nicola Catena, has created a richly textured Chardonnay blend with floral notes, ripe tropical-fruit flavors, a strong mineral character and excellent acidity. Catena Chardonnay is sourced from three of the family´s vineyards in Luján de Cuyo and Tupungato. In Agrelo, in Luján de Cuyo, the La Pirámide Vineyard grapes lend the wine ripe citrus and stone fruit aromas and flavors. Fruit from the Domingo Vineyard in the Villa Bastías district of Tupungato emphasizes those stone fruit flavors and gives the wine its rich texture and mouthfeel. The high-altitude Adrianna Vineyard in the Gualtallary district of Tupungato produces grapes with lively floral notes, a pronounced minerality, and a crisp, cool-climate acidity. From the marriage of these historic parcels emerges a wine of a unique character that has natural balance, concentration, and a distinct varietal identity.

Tasting Notes

The Catena Chardonnay combines the unique expressions of three high-altitude vineyard sites. The wine shows an intense straw yellow color with greenish highlights. The extraordinary combination of vineyards offers concentrated aromas of ripe citrus and honeyed tropical fruits with notes of peaches, white flowers, and spicy vanilla. On the palate, citrus and stone fruit flavors abound followed by flavors of pear and ripe melon with vanilla, sweet spice, and toast. The finish is fresh and crisp leaving traces of minerality on the palate that entice one to another sip.

Food Pairing

This wine would be a fantastic companion a variety of poultry dishes, dishes finished with a Nantua sauce, or to a rich seafood dish like Shrimp and Herb Risotto.

Vineyard & Production Info

Vineyard name:
The Domingo, La Pirámide, and Adrianna vineyards
Soil composition:
Depending on site - sandy loam with round rocks, calcareous deposits and clay
Training method:
VSP
Elevation:
3,117 - 4,757 feet
Vines/acre:
2200
Yield/acre:
2.5 - 3 tons tons
Exposure:
Northwestern
Year vineyard planted:
Various
Harvest time:
March - April
First vintage of this wine:
1991

Winemaking & Aging

Varietal composition:
100% Chardonnay
Fermentation container:
French oak barrels
Type of aging container:
Barriques
Size of aging container:
225 L
Type of oak:
French oak
Length of aging before bottling:
10 months, sur lies
Age of Aging Container:
35% New
Length of bottle aging:
12 months

Analytical Data

pH level:
3.21
Acidity:
6 g/L
Alcohol:
13.8 %