Catena Chardonnay 2009

HIGH MOUNTAIN ESTATE VINEYARDS

For over four generations, the Catena family has grown vines in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Mendoza, Argentina. Laura Catena, great-granddaughter of winery founder Nicola Catena, has created a richly textured Chardonnay blend with floral notes, ripe tropical-fruit flavors, a strong mineral character and excellent acidity. Catena Chardonnay is sourced from the family´s vineyards in Lujan de Cuyo and Tupungato. From the marriage of these historic parcels emerges a wine of a unique character that has natural balance, concentration and a distinct varietal identity.

VINIFICATION

No cold maceration; the juice begins fermentation right away. Short 12-14 day post-fermentation maceration; finishes malolactic in barrel; 14 months in 80% French oak (30% new) and 20% new American oak.

VINTAGE

December rains which made for good canopy growth. Dry after mid January with sunny days and cool nights. The harvest was about 10 days earlier than usual.

TASTING NOTES

The 2009 Catena Chardonnay combines the unique expressions of two high altitude Catena estate vineyards. The Agrelo vineyard offers honeyed stone fruit flavors with a rich, unctuous mouthfeel, while the Tupungato vineyard lends citrus notes, pear and fig flavors with a strong minerality and a crisp finish.