Region and Vineyards
Mendoza's vast wine country stretches across the Andean foothills where desert conditions, irrigation from snowmelt, and altitude create a distinctive matrix for quality. The Uco Valley (Tupungato, Tunuyán, San Carlos) sits between roughly 850 and 1,500 metres, marrying intense sunlight with cool nights; sugar accumulation slows, acids are preserved, and aromatics stay lifted while flavours ripen fully. Soils are predominantly alluvial, grading from gravel and stones higher up to sand and silt mid-slope, with calcareous deposits prized in sites such as Gualtallary.
Catena sources Catena Chardonnay from three estate sites: Adrianna in Gualtallary (4,757 ft / 1,450 m), Domingo in Tupungato, and La Pirámide in Luján de Cuyo (from 3,117 ft / 950 m). Stony, gravelly topsoils and excellent drainage yield a mineral, saline edge, while altitude-driven diurnals protect natural acidity. Vines are trained to VSP, cropped modestly (about 2.5-3 tons/acre) and harvested March-April, each parcel vinified separately before blending to amplify complexity and balance. Northwest exposures enhance ripeness without sacrificing verve.
Winemaking
This cuvée is 100% Chardonnay. Whole clusters are gently pressed; the must is divided between stainless steel (to preserve primary clarity) and 225 L French oak barriques (first to second use, with some third), where native or selected yeasts ferment with periodic bâtonnage to build mid-palate. The élevage lasts around 10 months, integrating texture while keeping the fruit front and centre.
A partial malolactic approach is employed to retain tension while softening edges, and lots are kept separate by vineyard and vessel to offer blending options for precision. Analytical profile underscores the style: 13.3% alc., pH 3.2, TA ~5.8 g/L, RS ~1.8 g/L—figures consistent with a crisp, site-driven, dry Chardonnay accented by subtle oak and lees. Final bottling follows an additional 12 months of bottle rest for composure.
Tasting Notes
- Color: Pale straw with green highlights; bright and limpid.
- Aroma: Citrus zest, pear and white peach layered with white flowers, light honey, a hint of vanilla and a stony, mineral thread.
- Palate: Medium body and fresh acidity; clean orchard and tropical accents over fine lees cream, finishing long, saline, and precisely balanced with discreet oak spice.
Did you know?
The Catena family—pioneers in high-altitude viticulture since 1902—blends parcels across elevations to fine-tune freshness, texture, and aromatic detail. The approach is central to the Catena range and echoes throughout Mendoza's quality revolution.
Wine Pairing Ideas
- Seared scallops with citrus butter: sweet brininess and beurre noisette mirror the wine's orchard fruit and subtle oak, while acidity refreshes.
- Roast chicken with tarragon jus: herb lift and pan juices resonate with lees texture and gentle vanilla notes.
- Trout almondine: nutty brown butter and toasted almond echo barrique nuances; the finish cuts through richness.
- Sushi nigiri (hamachi, tai): purity and mineral snap complement clean, delicately fatty fish.
