Catena Appellation Lujan de Cuyo White Clay Semillon-Chenin Blanc 2023
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James
Suckling - Vinous
Product Details
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Catena Appellation Luján de Cuyo White Clay is deeply aromatic with expressive citrus and peach, minerality, and a rich finish.
This blend of Semillon and Chenin Blanc pairs well with vegetables, pasta, and grilled white meats.
Blend: 60% Semillon, 40% Chenin Blanc
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Lemons and stone with a lightly steely and creamy edge. Really bright and nervy, with a bone-dry, elegant finish. 60% semillon and 40% chenin blanc. This should age well. Drink from 2026.
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Vinous
The 2023 Catena Appellation Luján de Cuyo White Clay is a blend of 60% Sémillon and 40% Chenin Blanc from Agrelo. Green-tinged in the glass, it reveals aromas of honey, wet wool and a hint of lime. Dry, nimble and slightly rich, the malic palate lingers with a refreshing, vibrant core. It's an uncommon continental white for Argentina.
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Bodega Catena Zapata is one of Argentina's high-altitude Malbec pioneers. The Catena family began making wine in Mendoza in 1902. Nicolas Catena, third generation family vintner, was one of the first to see the potential of Mendoza's mountain vineyards for producing high quality Malbec. In 1994, he became the first Argentine to export a world-class bottling of Malbec under the Catena label. Nicolas is joined by his daughter, Dr. Laura Catena, in their relentless pursuit of world-class quality from the family's high-altitude vineyards. Laura has done extensive work in introducing Malbec and other varietal plant selections, soil and climate analysis, and sustainable practices throughout Mendoza. Head winemaker, Alejandro Vigil, has been at Catena Zapata since 2002 and works with Laura and Nicolas to make wines that express the family's vineyards and palate.
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.