Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
From some of the highest white wine vineyards in the Uco Valley, this is skillfully barrel fermented with natural yeasts. Peachy and stony with a crisp finish.
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Wine & Spirits
Pulled from vineyards at the foot of the Andes in the Uco Valley, this captures the fresh mountain influence as well as the cold 2013 vintage in its spicy and refreshing flavors, the wine rich in crunchy, juicy cherry and blackberry notes. Open now for meat lasagna, or save it for a couple of years, as the tannins still need a little bit of time to calm.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Catena 2013 Chardonnay mixes grapes form Agrelo (15%) and the rest from different zones in the Uco Valley (Tupungato and San Carlos, Eugenio Bustos and Altamira). 50% of the wine fermented in used oak barriques, 10% in new 500-liter French oak barrels and the rest in stainless steel. Part of the barrels go through malolactic fermentation, but not all. 2013 feels ripe despite the character of the vintage, and although the oak is a lot less noticeable than in previous vintages it provides creaminess that makes it approachable and easy. The palate is soft and the acidity is quite integrated with the fruit. An approachable, nice Chardonnay. 360,000 bottles produced.
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Wine Enthusiast
A full blast of oak and related aromas open this creamy, ripe wine. Plump on the palate but with just enough acidity to preserve balance, this rich, friendly wine features walnut, papaya and citrus flavors that finish woody, smooth and long.
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Wine Spectator
An elegant, rich and fruity white, with plenty of creamy notes to the apple pastry, ripe pear and marzipan flavors. The juicy finish is loaded with buttery and spicy elements.
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 export 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.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.