Catena Alta Chardonnay

Catena Alta Chardonnay bottle image

Wine Description

During the 1990’s, Bodega Catena Zapata set new standards for Argentine wine. In an effort to produce a super-premium wine, the winemaking team of Catena began in-depth investigation into the yields from specially selected, high altitude vineyards, identifying the individual lots that produce the best fruit.  These vines undergo a careful thinning process, leaving only a select few clusters, resulting in remarkably complex, aromatic and flavorful fruit.  Through the application of natural techniques, these grapes are transformed into Catena Alta. The Catena Alta Chardonnay is produced from two of the Catena family vineyards - Adrianna, at almost 5,000 feet elevation and Domingo, at 3,700 feet elevation. The Adrianna vineyard's pebble covered soil and cool climate are ideal for growing Chardonnay. The fruit from Adrianna has a purity of flavors and a minerality that is particular to this vineyard and cannot be found anywhere else in Mendoza. Meanwhile, the sandy loam soils of the Domingo vineyard contribute white stone fruit and good acid balance. This Chardonnay is 100% barrel fermented  in French oak with aggressive battonage. Dijon Clonal Selection.

Remington-Mendoza
Laura Catena sits at a table with a glass of wine
Malbec Grapes
Alejandro Vigil (Chief Winemaker) and Laura Catena Tasting
Malbec Clone in La Piramide Vineyard
Nicolás Catena
Bodega Catena Zapata
Bodega Catena Zapata
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Acclaim
“Apple, oak and honey on the nose followed through on the palate with a little bit of buttery and quince; round ,fleshy and malic with yellow-apple flavors. Reminiscent of a white Burgundy.” 
— Forbes, Nov 2020
“Lingered in my memory long after the bottle was emptied. I sipped it at home in Manhattan but this impressive Chardonnay instantly transported me back to my 2015 visit to Mendoza, which included an unforgettable tasting and tour at Catena Zapata. Founded in 1902, Catena Zapata is truly one of Argentina’s winemaking pioneers. Knowing that great wine starts in the vineyard, this family-owned winery has devoted tremendous resources to analyzing their soils so that the grapes are cultivated in a manner that achieves optimum quality. Malbec may be Argentina’s signature grape but don’t ignore the wonderful Chardonnay being produced in this South American winemaking powerhouse. The Chardonnay grapes for Catena Alta Historic Rows Chardonnay were sourced from select rows in two of their historic Andean vineyards: Adrianna and Domingo. According to the winery, ‘At almost 5,000 feet elevation in the Andean foothills, the Adrianna vineyard's calcareous soils and cool climate are the promised land of Chardonnay. The fruit from the Adrianna vineyard has a purity of flavors and a minerality that is particular to this vineyard and cannot be found anywhere else in Mendoza. The nearby, gravel-covered Domingo Vineyard makes up 20% of the blend.’ Catena Alta is a bold Chardonnay but impeccable balance keeps it from veering off the cliff towards the land of flabby and overwrought wines. With a snappy minerality, ripe fruit, lively acidity, and long finish, this is a Chardonnay that elegantly stands out from the crowd.”
— The Black Dress Traveler, Dec 2019
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
The Adrianna (Lot 1) and Domingo (Lot 7) Vineyards
Vineyard size
296 acres
Soil composition
Depending on vineyard - Sandy loam with calcareous layer, sandy limestone with clay, surface stones
Training method
VSP
Elevation:
3,675-4757 feet
Vines/acre:
2200
Yield/acre:
1.2 ton tons
Exposure:
Northwestern
Year vineyard planted:
1992
Harvest time:
March - April
First vintage of this wine:
1995
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Winemaking & Aging
Varietal composition:
100% Chardonnay
Fermentation container:
French oak barrels
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
50 days
Maceration technique:
Battonage
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Type of aging container:
Barriques
Size of aging container:
225 L
Type of oak:
French oak
Length of aging before bottling:
14 months
Age of Aging Container:
45% New
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Analytical Data
No relevant data were found.