Catena Zapata – 2023 Tupungato Chardonnay

Catena Zapata – 2023 Tupungato Chardonnay.

When we talk about Argentinian wine, Malbec is the obvious first thought. Yet for this review, the spotlight shifts: Chardonnay takes centre stage. Often overshadowed in Mendoza by Malbec and other red varieties, it proves here that it can deliver wines of real character and finesse.

Our focus is Tupungato in the Uco Valley, one of Argentina’s most prestigious and dynamic wine regions. Nestled high in the Andes foothills, Tupungato has built a reputation for producing elegant, layered wines with remarkable aging potential—an acclaim that continues to resonate with wine enthusiasts worldwide. We are taking a look at the 2023 vintage of Catena Zapata’s Tupungato Chardonnay.

About the Region

The Tupungato appellation lies in the Uco valley and is one of the highest wine regions of Mendoza. Located in the foothills of the Andes mountains with their snow-covered peaks rising high into the sky, Tupungato has a set of unique characteristics to produce world class wines that can rival with their well-known established counterparts around the world. High-altitude vineyards (1,000–1,500 m) on old riverbeds, with limestone-rich rocky and well-drained soils, produce grapes with thick skins, high in phenolics and acidity. 

The vines profit from intense sunlight during the day and cool nights, creating a high diurnal range. Rainfall is very low with almost no disease pressure and fresh snowmelt provides pure mineral-rich irrigation water. This allows wineries to produce organically. 

Chardonnay, being the ultimate terroir expressor, is fully appreciated in Tupungato. The altitude and soils produce Chardonnay with expressive aromas (floral and mineral rather than fruity), pulsating acidity and refined elegance. The wines have a great aging potential.

Tupungato represents the pinnacle of Argentine winemaking. Its unique combination of high-altitude vineyards, highly diverse terroir and innovative winemakers has earned it a well-deserved spot among the world’s top wine regions.

About the Winery

Catena Zapata is the iconic pioneer of high-altitude winemaking. This family-owned winery was founded in 1902 and is one of the most influential wineries in Argentina. They were among the first to realize that truly great wines could be made at extreme altitudes. Intrigued by the obsession of the French that relate quality with terroir, the Catena’s experimented with vineyards in the cooler areas: at high altitude (1000-1500m). 

Laura Catena, being a medical doctor and a scientist, founded the Catena Institute of Wine, where science-driven decision making is the cornerstone of their viticultural and vinification approaches. The scientific approach led Argentinian wine to reach metaphorical heights. 

Deep understanding of terroir gives Catena Zapata wines their immediate sense of place and undoubtedly contributes to the high quality. They discovered that the alluvial soils of the Mendoza are extremely variably composed, even within small areas. Each parcel displays unique soil composition and delivers a unique wine with purity and of higher quality than the group of parcels as a whole. The first successful project using research as a guide was Chardonnay.

About the Wine

The Tupungato vineyard sits at 1,450 metres above sea level and was planted around twenty years ago. In 2023, spring frosts significantly reduced yields, while the season remained very dry with slightly warmer temperatures. The combination of low yields and climatic stress prompted a harvest that occurred two to four weeks earlier than usual. Despite the challenging conditions, the wine shows promising aging potential.

After cold settling for 12–24 hours below 10°C, the juice undergoes fermentation for 20–35 days, with a total maceration of six hours. Bâtonnage is kept to a minimum. The wine remains in contact with its lees for 10–12 months and is aged in 100% French oak, 35% of which is new.

In the glass, it reveals a light golden hue with subtle green reflections. The nose is expressive, offering yellow apple, pear, lemon, lemon zest, and orange blossom, supported by flinty nuances and gentle touches of vanilla and toast. On the palate, vibrant acidity frames the fruit and oak elements, while the extended lees contact contributes a rounded, textured mouthfeel.

This Chardonnay is not overly complex, but it is clean, precise, and refreshingly balanced. A delightful match for smoked salmon on toast.

We award this wine a 88-point DWA score.

This review is written by our own Saskia Nijssen. Catena Zapata is imported and distributed in the Netherlands by Vinites and available through selected retail and hospitality partners.

Taste Date:     November 2025

Website:         Catena Zapata