Catena Alta Chardonnay 2011
-
Parker
Robert - Decanter
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2011 Catena Alta Chardonnay is sourced from the Adrianna (Gualtallary), and Domingo (named after Nicolas Catena’s father, and is located in Villa Bastias in Tupungato at 1,120 meters altitude) vineyards. Despite 2011 being cooler the wine is 14% alcohol, riper and fresher (Acidity (grams/liter) 7.30, pH: 3.22). They always use the same vineyards and the same part of the vineyards for the Alta range, mostly from Adrianna and a little from Domingo. This is golden-colored, and a little more tropical, more marked by the oak, with a toasty and somehow honeyed character already developing (some 6-7% of the grapes developed botrytis). The palate is medium-bodied and round, with a pleasant bitter finish. More exuberant, rounder.
-
Decanter
Crafted from select blocks of vines, this vintage possesses nutty, spicy oak notes rising above a creamy lemon base. It also features a strong, food-friendly personality, with structure, weight and rich, mouth filling taste of spice, lemon and apple. Sewn up with a deep, rounded a deep, rounded and long finish.
Other Vintages
2021-
Suckling
James - Vinous
-
Parker
Robert
-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert
-
Suckling
James -
Wong
Wilfred
-
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine
-
Suckling
James
-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine
-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Panel
Tasting
-
Suckling
James -
Wong
Wilfred -
Parker
Robert
-
Spirits
Wine & - Decanter
-
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert
-
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Spectator
Wine
-
Spectator
Wine
-
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert
Bodega Catena Zapata is one of Argentina's high altitude Malbec pioneers. The Catena family began making wine in Mendoza in 1902. Nicolas Catena, third generation family vintner, was one of the first to see the potential of Mendoza's mountain vineyards for producing high quality Malbec. In 1994, he became the first Argentine to exprot a world-class bottling of Malbec under the Catena label. Nicolas is joined by his daughter, Dr. Laura Catena, in their relentless pursuit of world-class quality from the family's high altitude vineyards. Laura has done extensive work in introducing Malbec and other varietal plant selections, soil and climate analysis, and sustainable practices throughout Mendoza. Head winemaker, Alejandro Vigil, has been at Catena Zapata since 2002 and works with Laura and Nicolas to make wines that express the family's vineyards and palate.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
With vineyards tretching along the eastern side of the Andes Mountains from Patagonia in the south to Salta in the north, Argentina is one of the world’s largest and most dynamic wine producing countries—and most important in South America.
Since the late 20th century vineyard investments, improved winery technology and a commitment to innovation have all contributed to the country’s burgeoning image as a producer of great wines at all price points. The climate here is diverse but generally continental and agreeable, with hot, dry summers and cold snowy winters—a positive, as snow melt from the Andes Mountains is used heavily to irrigate vineyards. Grapes very rarely have any difficulty achieving full ripeness.
Argentina’s famous Mendoza region, responsible for more than 70% of Argentina’s wine production, is further divided into several sub-regions, with Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley most noteworthy. Red wines dominate here, especially Malbec, the country’s star variety, while Chardonnay is the most successful white.
The province of San Juan is best known for blends of Bonarda and Syrah. Torrontés is a specialty of the La Rioja and Salta regions, the latter of which is also responsible for excellent Malbecs grown at very high elevation.