2020 Bodegas Atamisque Chardonnay 'Catalpa'

100% sustainably farmed Chardonnay from the subzone of Tupungato in the Uco Valley. The vines are at an incredible elevation of 4,430 feet and are over 20 years old. Fruit is hand picked and sorted, fermented in steel, and aged in a combination of steel (60%) and new French oak barrels (40%) for 10 months. All winemaking is gravity flow. 14% alcohol.

Atamisque is known for wines that deliver above their price point, and this Chardonnay is no exception. This is rich, round and smooth, with plenty of body, but it is superbly balanced and the few years of bottle age have let the new oak integrate nicely into the aromas and flavors of nectarine, pineapple, lemon zest to provide a plush sensation of cream, pastry and honey. Acidity is still plenty fresh.

Founded in 2002 by John and Chantal Du Monceau and located in Tupungato, at the foothills of the Andes Mountains. Atamisque’s name comes from an aboriginal bush that grows naturally in the region. The wines are produced from the winery’s own 70 hectares of vineyards, which provides the highest standard of quality from the vine to the bottle. Respect for the environment and long-term sustainability were the foundation in the construction of Atamisque. The winery was designed for gravity-flow winemaking to avoid the use of pumps and minimize wine stress and utilizing the local slate in the area as tiling for the roof of the buildings providing perfect insulation and temperature control year-round.