At a glance

Producer

Catena Zapata

Region

Mendoza, Argentina

Grape variety

Chardonnay

Wine type

White

Body

Light-bodied and Crisp

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$110-$155 USD (2024 global retail average)

Tasting profile

Intense citrus, white flowers, crushed stones, subtle spice, and flinty minerality. Tightly wound with laser-like acidity.

Evolution: With age, will gain honeyed notes, hazelnut, toasty complexity, and a creamy texture, while retaining minerality.

At peak: At peak, expect layered stone fruit, preserved lemon, wildflowers, crushed oyster shell, and a lingering saline finish.

Structure

Acidity

High, driving freshness and longevity

Tannins

N/A (white wine, notable for mineral backbone)

Alcohol

Medium (approx. 13.5%)

Aging potential

Exceptional for New World Chardonnay; can age 10-15 years, sometimes longer

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2027 to 2032

Optimal window

2025 to 2035

Current status

Youthful, very ageworthy; can drink now but will improve.

Current condition

Bright, intense, and fresh. Developing early complexity but primary fruit still dominant.

This wine is crafted from a single, high-altitude micro-terroir (White Bones parcel) in the Adrianna Vineyard, famed for fossil-rich soils and pronounced minerality. The concentration and structure, combined with expert winemaking, ensure slow maturation and complex development in bottle over 10+ years.

Food pairing

Shellfish (oysters, langoustines), lobster, turbot, citrus-dressed salads, roast chicken with herbs, hard mountain cheeses.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

Adrianna Vineyard uses deficit irrigation for water efficiency; maintains natural cover crops; minimal chemical inputs; encourages biodiversity; solar panels for energy; lightweight glass bottles; extensive recycling programs.

Catena Zapata is a leader in Argentine wine sustainability, implementing organic and biodynamic practices, maintaining rich biodiversity, and focusing on soil health—though full organic certification is not always claimed. Solar power and water-saving measures further bolster sustainability. Bottling at source and lighter packaging reduce energy use, but international shipping adds unavoidable emissions. Overall, the estate ranks high among South American producers for responsible viticulture and winemaking.