Kim Uncorked: Welcome to my weekly wine recommendation.
Hi, I’m Kim, a passionate lover of wine, food, and any experience that brings the two together! In this weekly blog post, I share my thoughts on a wine that I’ve recently purchased from one of our local independent wine merchants. If you’d like to know more about me, I’ve included a brief bio following the post.
2023 Catena Alta Historic Rows Chardonnay
Argentina
Marquis Wine Cellars
$50.99
1034 Davie Street, Vancouver BC
If you love Chardonnay, this week’s recommendation strikes a balance between old-world restraint and new-world opulence. Founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena, Bodega Catena Zapata is one of Argentina’s most influential wineries. The family’s pioneering work in high-altitude viticulture in the foothills of the Andes established its reputation. Today, under the leadership of Dr. Laura Catena and head winemaker Alejandro Vigil, the estate continues to push the boundaries of precision viticulture while advancing research through the Catena Institute of Wine.
The Catena Alta Historic Rows Chardonnay offers a refined expression of Mendoza’s high-altitude terroir. The blend is sourced primarily from the Adrianna Vineyard at an elevation of nearly 5,000 feet, where gravelly calcareous soils impart minerality and precision. The remaining 20% comes from the Domingo Vineyard at 3,700 feet. Together, these vines contribute clean flavours and striking minerality, while the extreme diurnal temperature swings preserve the grapes’ natural acidity. The wine is fermented entirely in 500-litre French oak barrels with native yeasts, then aged on lees for 10 to 14 months to add texture and complexity.
As a result, the 2021 Catena Alta Historic Rows Chardonnay offers an elegant, medium-bodied wine with aromas of pear, citrus, a hint of jasmine, flint, and subtle clove. The palate is creamy yet balanced, framed by vibrant acidity and a long, crisp mineral finish.
The wine would make a perfect pairing with rich seafood dishes like lobster, Dungeness crab cakes, or seafood linguine.
Kim Mead is a Vancouver-based wine and food writer. She holds the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with Merit, the French Wine Scholar designation with Honours, and Italian Wine Essentials certification. She is currently pursuing the Bordeaux Master’s program with the Wine Scholar Guild. Kim serves as Cellar Master for the Vancouver chapter of the International Wine and Food Society and is a member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux. Follow her @agalandaglass