2021 Chardonnay Catena Alta
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
A light gold hue here with a creaminess to the nose and palate. Dried lemon and a hint of brioche. A rounder, medium- to full-bodied chardonnay with excellent balance and poise. Some botrytis here with around 30% malolactic fermentation. Drink now.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Catena Alta Chardonnay is a textbook expression of a barrel-fermented Chardonnay. It fermented with indigenous yeasts in 500-liter barrels, where the wine matured for 14 months. It has good ripeness, 13.7% alcohol and full development of aromas and flavors, waxy apples, white flowers intermixed with smoke and spice, coming through as balanced, complete and seamless, fresh and with a low pH and notable acidity. 94,800 bottles were filled in June 2022.
The 2021 Chardonnay Catena Alta from Villa Bastías, Uco Valley was made with slightly botyric grapes aged for 12 months in a third new 500-liter barrels. Golden in color. The Sauterne-like aromas include ripe fruit, stewed apple and pleasant oaky notes. Sugary on the palate with freshness wrapped in a refined texture, the refined oaky flavors return at the back of the mouth.
About the producer
Bodega Catena Zapata has been instrumental both in the development of fine wine production in Argentina and in realising the full potential of the Malbec grape.