At a glance

Producer

Catena Zapata

Region

Mendoza, Argentina

Grape variety

Chardonnay

Wine type

White

Body

Light-bodied and Crisp

Sweetness

Bone Dry

Typical price

$120-150 USD

Tasting profile

Citrus, white blossom, saline minerality, subtle oak, tightly wound on release.

Evolution: Stone fruit, chamomile, flint, honeycomb, increasingly complex as tertiary notes develop.

At peak: Profound integration of fruit, acid, and minerality; layered texture, vibrant finesse.

Structure

Acidity

High; definition and ageworthiness

Tannins

None (white wine, no phenolic bitterness detected)

Alcohol

Moderate (typically 13-13.5%)

Aging potential

Excellent aging for high-end Chardonnay from cool, high-altitude sites

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2028 to 2034

Optimal window

2026 to 2036

Current status

Youthful and tight; best consumed after some development.

Current condition

Structured, mineral, vibrant with marked acidity, primary fruit forward.

Crafted from a renowned single parcel in the high-altitude Adrianna Vineyard, this Chardonnay reveals its complexity incrementally over a decade. High altitude and limestone-rich soils preserve acidity and freshness, supporting long development without loss of vibrancy.

Food pairing

King crab, oysters, sashimi, seared scallops, poultry in cream sauces, aged Comte or Gruyère.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 9/10

Dry farming when possible; extensive composting and cover cropping; drip irrigation optimizing water use; solar and renewable energy initiatives at winery; lightweight glass; natural eco-cooling in cellars.

Catena Zapata has led Argentina’s shift toward sustainable viticulture, with environmentally conscious practices at the Adrianna Vineyard. These include significant water conservation, smart energy usage, minimal intervention, and biodiversity zones. Packaging choices further reduce impact, though international shipping increases the overall footprint. The estate is a benchmark for South American sustainability, achieving near-organic standards and a holistic eco-approach, meriting a high sustainability score.