Catena Zapata winery has repeatedly swept awards from Decanter, Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast for its quality and style. Chardonnay Alta - Catena Zapata belongs to the "most popular wine brand in the world", as declared in 2020 by Drinks International and the year 2021 got 94pts from Vinous and 92pts from Wine Advocate! Also won the first place award for the best vineyards in the world!
Catena Zapata was founded in 1902 by Nicola Catena and stood out for the way it managed to highlight the exceptional terroirs of Argentina at very high altitudes, at the foot of the Andes in Mendoza. He was the first to grow the famous Argentine Malbec, but he soon discovered the excellent performance of other varieties, such as Chardonnay. Today the winery is run by the fourth generation of the family and through the philosophy of "High Altitude Vineyards", it has become a huge name in Argentine viticulture and one of the largest vineyard owners in the region.
In the Catena Alta wines, the grapes come from the winery's highest vineyards, at an altitude of almost 1500 meters. This is so rare that it actually had to be labeled on the wine and thus got the name 'Alta' which means ‘high’ in Spanish! The famous Adrianna and Domingo vineyards are considered the Grand Cru of South America because they combine elements that are not found elsewhere in Mendoza. Calcareous soils and cool climate. It is "the garden of Eden" for Chardonnay, where it gives its best fruity and mineral character!
Whole clusters are pressed and the wine is fermented with natural wild yeasts under controlled temperatures, in 500 liter French oak barrels. It matures in French oak barrels (1st, 2nd and 3rd use) for 14 months. 70% of the wine goes through malolactic fermentation, which means simply, awesome buttery mouthfeel and at the same time fruity aromas that make you wonder if you want to drink it or eat it!
Winery experts say that the best time to drink a Catena Alta is 3 years after harvest (ie now!) and within the next two decades. And we intend to listen to them!
