Catalpa Chardonnay

Catalpa Chardonnay is a 100% Chardonnay from Bodega Atamisque in Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 92 points by Decanter in their Top South American Chardonnay tasting, this single-vineyard expression earned praise from Tim Atkin MW, who called it "Proper Chardonnay!"

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina  |  100% Chardonnay  |  Producer: Bodega Atamisque

Production & Heritage

Bodega Atamisque operates in the prestigious Uco Valley subregion of Mendoza, under the direction of winemaker Philippe Caraguel. The Catalpa Chardonnay is sourced from a single plot of the estate's best vineyard, where roughly half the juice is fermented in oak. The wine then spends approximately 10 months aging in new French oak barrels, a regimen that builds body and layers of honeyed vanilla over a core of citrus and tropical fruit without overwhelming the varietal character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Abundant ripe fruit leads the nose — pineapple and golden apple give way to ripe peach, followed by supporting notes of vanilla and warm cinnamon from the oak aging. There is a gentle honeyed quality underneath that ties the fruit and barrel influence together.

Taste: The entry is generous and creamy, with peach and apricot flavors at the forefront. Mid-palate, caramel and smoked oak add complexity, while refreshing acidity provides structure and prevents the wine from becoming heavy or overwrought. The balance between fruit richness and lively acidity is the defining feature here.

Finish: Medium in length, the finish carries hints of warm spice and lingering vanilla. A clean citrus note emerges at the tail end, leaving the palate fresh and inviting another sip.

How to Drink Catalpa Chardonnay

This Chardonnay rewards attention — serve it lightly chilled, around 10–12°C (50–54°F), in a wide-bowled glass that allows the oak-inflected aromas to open up. Neat and unadorned is the best way to appreciate the interplay between fruit and barrel. For cocktails, it works in a White Wine Spritzer, where the creamy texture holds up against soda water; a French 75 variation using Chardonnay in place of sparkling wine to add body and tropical depth; or a White Sangria, where the peach and pineapple notes harmonize naturally with sliced stone fruit and citrus.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners featuring roast chicken or cream-sauced pasta
• Introducing someone to oak-aged Argentine Chardonnay
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Uco Valley producers
• Summer gatherings where a rich but balanced white is needed

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Catalpa Chardonnay taste like? It delivers generous ripe peach and apricot flavors layered with caramel, vanilla, and smoked oak, all held in check by bright, refreshing acidity that keeps the wine balanced and drinkable.

How does Catalpa Chardonnay compare to Catena Chardonnay? Both are 100% Chardonnay wines from Mendoza, but Catalpa comes from a single vineyard plot in Uco Valley with approximately 10 months in new French oak, giving it a notably creamy, oak-driven profile. Catena's standard Chardonnay tends toward a broader, more fruit-forward style with less pronounced barrel influence.

Is Catalpa Chardonnay good for sipping on its own? Yes — the balance of ripe tropical fruit, vanilla richness, and lively acidity makes it a satisfying wine to drink neat, ideally served lightly chilled to let the aromatics develop fully.

Where is Catalpa Chardonnay made? It is produced by Bodega Atamisque in the Uco Valley, a high-altitude subregion of Mendoza, Argentina renowned for producing concentrated, well-structured white wines under the guidance of winemaker Philippe Caraguel.

What foods pair well with Catalpa Chardonnay? Roast chicken with herbs complements the creamy oak character. Grilled white fish with a lemon butter sauce mirrors the wine's citrus finish. Soft, creamy cheeses like Brie echo its texture. Risotto with mushrooms matches the wine's medium body and subtle smokiness. Pork tenderloin with a stone fruit glaze connects directly to the peach and apricot notes.

What sizes does Catalpa Chardonnay come in? Catalpa Chardonnay is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Catalpa Chardonnay worth the price? Decanter featured it in their Top South American Chardonnay under £20 tasting and awarded it 92 points, positioning it firmly as a high-value expression that punches well above its price tier for an oak-aged, single-vineyard Chardonnay.

Why Catalpa Chardonnay?

What separates this wine from the crowd of Argentine Chardonnays is its single-vineyard sourcing and disciplined use of new French oak — enough to add genuine complexity without masking the fruit. A 92-point score from Decanter and endorsement from Tim Atkin MW confirm that the quality here is not accidental. Bodega Atamisque's Uco Valley location provides the altitude and diurnal temperature swings that preserve the natural acidity essential to keeping an oak-aged Chardonnay lively. For drinkers seeking a South American white with real structure and depth at a sensible price, this bottling makes a compelling case.