The balsamic, smoky and spicy white 2018 Catena Chardonnay is a blend of different vineyards matured in oak barrels for ten months. 2018 was a very good harvest in Mendoza after two unusual vintages, the extremely wet 2016 and 2017 marked by frost and a very warm end of the season. 2018 is a "normal" year, with good quality and normal volumes. This Chardonnay is a fresh and varietal bottling with good balance; they used some destemmed grapes for the first time, trying to obtain less oxidative musts, and the wine comes through as a balanced combination of fruit and oak with a pleasant mouthfeel. It's really excellent for the price asked.Score: 91 points -- Luis Gutierrez, The Wine Advocate, 2019
