Catena Appellation Luján de Cuyo White Clay

Catena Appellation Luján de Cuyo White Clay

Wine Description

Semillón and Chenin Blanc used to be the two most widely planted white grape varieties in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza´s historical region for premium wines. Semillón came to Argentina in the 19th century and was planted in field blends with Malbec as it was in France. A century ago, the blend of Semillón and Chenin Blanc constituted the classic white wine of Argentina. Catena Appellation White Clay is our modern interpretation of this classic, a wine with intense minerality, good grip on the palate and richly textured.

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
“The 2021 catena Appellation Lujan de Cuyo White Clay is a blend of 55% Semillon and 45% Chenin from Lujan de Cuyo, a third aged for up to seven months in barrels. Golden yellow in the glass. The Semillon dominates the nose with notes of honey and flint accompanied by floral aromas. In the mouth, it’s tense and linear with good energy and flavor, as in a structured, compact palate. A style making a stand against commercial trends.”
— Vinous, Aug 2022
“This has aromas of sliced apples, lemons, white pears, blanched almonds, yoghurt and chalk. It’s medium-to full-bodied with a round, creamy and layered palate. Excellent concentration and focus. Mineral finish. Semillon and chenin blanc. Sustainable.”
— James Suckling, Mar 2022
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Vineyard & Production Info
Production area/appellation:
Luján de Cuyo
Soil composition
Clay topsoil with rounded rocks
Elevation:
3117 feet
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Winemaking & Aging
Varietal composition:
55% Semillón, 45% Chenin Blanc
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
25 days
Type of aging container:
Stainless steel tanks + concrete eggs
Length of aging before bottling:
6 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.2
Acidity:
6.65 g/L
Alcohol:
12.5 %
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Wine Production

This wine, made from 60% Semillón and 40% Chenin Blanc, goes through cold settling for 12 hours at 41ºF (5ºC) before its 25-day fermentation. After the fermentation, it undergoes a maceration of 6 hours. Before bottling, this wine spends 7 to 8 months in contact with the lees.

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About the Vineyard

The Luján de Cuyo Appellation is known for its alluvial, clay-rich soils with rounded rocks on the bottom. The nights are cool in this high-altitude (950m/ 3117 feet) appellation.