Nicolás Catena Zapata was the first to see the potential of Mendoza’s mountain vineyards for producing high quality wines. In the early 1990s, he developed the first Argentine Malbec clonal selection, known as the Catena cuttings. In 1994, Nicolás became the first Argentine to export Malbec that could stand with the best in the world. He has been awarded the Decanter Magazine’s Man of the Year award in 2009 and the Wine Spectator Distinguished Service Award in 2012 in recognition of his pioneering work in modernizing viticulture and winemaking in Argentina. Nicolás’ vision led to Catena being the first Argentine wine to receive over 90 points from Wine Spectator (1994) and 98+ points from Robert Parker (for the 2004 Nicolas Catena Zapata). Today, Catena Zapata wines consistently garner high acclaim and are thus sought after by collectors and connoisseurs from around the globe.

Laura Catena, Nicolás’ daughter, a Harvard and Stanford educated physician, continues the family’s tradition and relentless pursuit of world-class quality from the family’s high altitude vineyards: Domingo, Adrianna, Nicasia, and La Pirámide. Her extensive study of soil and climate and expertise in blending wines from Mendoza’s different microclimates has helped Catena continue its leadership position within Argentine viticulture. Laura has traveled the globe to lecture about Argentine wines and viticulture, and is author of the first book about Argentine wine by a US publisher: Vino Argentino: An Insider’s Guide to the Wines and Wine Country of Argentina (Chronicle Books, 2010).

Nicolás and Laura have a deep commitment to the welfare of their native Argentina. Laura has led an effort to define the Appellations of Mendoza and create a sustainability certification for the region. The Catena Institute has collaborated with the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, UC Davis, and Université de Montpellier in research aimed at improving the quality of Argentine wine. Nicolás’ mother, Angélica Zapata, was the headmaster of the local public school. Inspired by her belief that every child has the right to a world-class education, the Catena family has funded dozens of Ph.D theses and graduate studies for employees and their children, as well as for top students in the area.

Head winemaker Alejandro Vigil has been at Catena Zapata since 2002 and works with Laura and Nicolás to make wines that retain the style and expressivity of the family’s vineyards and palate.

Bodega Catena Zapata:110 Years of Elevating Argentine Wine

“In the 1980s, Nicolás Catena Zapata changed the history of Argentine wine when he dared to believe that a wine could be made in Mendoza that would stand with the best of the world. Planting Malbec at an altitude where no one thought it would ripen, studying climate and soil to the smallest detail, developing the first ever plant selection of Argentine Malbec, my father and I have embarked on a journey to make a wine with soul, a wine of character, a wine that will age for the generations to come, from our four cherished vineyards: La Pirámide, Adrianna, Domingo, and Nicasia.”

Laura Catena, Fourth Generation Vintner

Catena White Bones Chardonnay 2011

VINEYARDSHarvest time varies depending on each row’s soilcomposition. Harvest time can vary by several weeksbetween one row and another within the same vineyard.

Adrianna (Gualtallary) Vineyard: 4,757 ft elevationThis vineyard is named after Nicolás Catena Zapata’syoungest daughter, Adrianna.Plant selection: Dijon Clones and Selección Mendoza

HARVEST DATA FOR 2011Even temperatures with abundant rain in spring whichled to healthy canopies and good fruit set. Harvest wasearly by about 10 days.

TECHNICAL INFORMATIONWinemaker: Alejandro Vigil

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13.1 %

Total Acidity: 7.1 grams/liter

pH: 3.22

Appellation: Gualtallary District, Tupungato Region,Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Unfined and unfiltered

ACCLAIM2010 Wine Advocate 96 points IWC 95+ points Wine Spectator 92 points2009 Wine Advocate 96 points IWC 93 points Wine Spectator 93 points

©2014 Selected and Imported by Winebow, Inc. New York, NY • www.winebow.comBodega Catena Zapata • www.catenawines.com • BCZ00008376

WINE DESCRIPTIONFor over four generations, the Catena family has grown vines in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Mendoza, Argentina. In his desire to make the highest quality wines, Nicolás identified the best rows within the Catena Zapata Family Estate Vineyards. The Adrianna Vineyard is located at 4,757 feet elevation in the Gualtallary sub-district of the Tupungato region. White Bones Chardonnay comes from select rows in the Adrianna Vineyard. The name refers to the soil underneath these rows, which is layered with limestone deposits that have the appearance of crumbled bones. Because limestone, like bones, is rich in calcium and known for its affinity towards Chardonnay, we called this wine White Bones. There are many theories about why the grapes coming from these rows have such distinctive floral aromatics with an earthy minerality in the nose and palate. It may be related to the minerals in the soil or to the effects that the calcareous deposits have on root penetration. At this extremely high altitude, the nights are cool, only a few degrees above freezing, even in the summer. The night-day temperature difference is between 15 and 20 degrees, and the sunlight is more intense because of the altitude.

TASTING NOTEThe 2011 Catena Zapata Adrianna Chardonnay White Bones has a bright greenish-yellow color. The nose shows an excellent mixture of citrus fruit interwoven with white fruit notes and vanilla flavors. The mouthfeel is rich and concentrated showing ripe pear, apple and apricot flavors with salty notes. The finish shows bright, clean acidity and wonderful length.

VINIFICATIONMade from hand-harvested grapes of the Dijon clones 76 and 95, the fruit is whole cluster pressed and 100% fermented in 225-500 L French oak barrels. The fermentation temperature is kept low, extracting intense aromas. Fermentation time ranges between 45 and 95 days depending on the row due to the different wild yeast populations in the vineyard. The wine is aged in barrel for 12-16 months with limited battonage. 30% does not undergo malolactic fermentation.