2010 Bodega Catena Zapata Chardonnay Catena Alta

Community Tasting Notes (31) Avg Score: 90.0 points

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  6/17/2023 - 385cbr Likes this wine: 88 Points

  Considering how far this is past its recommended drinking window, this really wasn't too bad. It's lost some of the crispness and fruitiness that would be expected of it, but it's held together pretty well. It was perfectly enjoyable. But don't wait too long if you have some.

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  2/21/2019 - alanh13 wrote:

  Coravin tasting. This was a little too old and oxidised. Like a super rich Meursault suffering from the beginning of premox.
  To be fair this was stored for 3 years in a cellar ranging from 16-21C throughout the year (before that in perfect conditions at the Wine Society), so not absolutely ideal conditions but many other wines would be still super fresh so I think it’s just hasn’t the ageability of say a Chablis or cool climate Chardonnay like Kumeu River (the 2006s are drinking beautifully still). For me this demonstrstes that 14C warm climate Chardonnay struggles to keep beyond 6 or 7 years.
  This fared much better with haddock in a rich béarnaise sauce and fries. Also, not unlike slightly premoxed Meursault, it got better with some air but still seriously lacking freshness compared to cool climate chardonnays.

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  1/11/2018 - br_winelover Does not like this wine: 89 Points

  Deep golden yellow - blind, I'd say this looks way much older than it is. But its appearance is probably its calling card, because this is not for anybody. I really don't know which barrels were selected to age this wine, but they were way too toasted for my palate. Some of the notes I found I usually expect to see in red wines. So definitely this is for those who appreciate big and oaky chardonnay.
  
  But this is not Califormia-like big and oaky - it is unlike any other chardonnay I have ever drunk, with notes of toast, honeyed nuts (which disappear with time), roasted coffee and vanilla, and some tangerine on the nose. On the palate the roasted notes are not so prominent, although there is way too much barrel-related notes for this to be really pleasant. Granted, there are here some grapefruit, lime and peaches to be found, and the acidity is fine, but the complexity is nonexistent due to the predominance of vanilla. Besides, given its pedigree, it is not long enough.
  
  I really look for freshness in the whites I drink, especially when it's hot outside. There is none here. Taking into account I paid $46 for it, this is a bad QPR. 89pts tops.

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  4/8/2017 - aChave wrote: 89 Points

  Big fruit with big wood to match. The acidity is prominent enough to add interest and precision, but if you don't like big fruit and oak this is not for you. Not my style, but a good example of the form. Demands a somewhat rich dish, perhaps a soup with some cream in the base.
  
  Follow-up: better on 2nd day. Less sharpness in the oak, with the acidity providing a nice balancing act. Still rather big fruit, but noticeably a bit more refined. 88-90.

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  7/30/2016 - tjbsmf Likes this wine: 90 Points

  Deep yellow in color (almost tinged by mustard); cream and sweets on the nose. Honeyed nuts on the palette. Crisp, river rock finish.

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View all 31 Community Tasting Notes

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