Catena Chardonnay Mendoza 2011

Golden-straw color. Tangy aromas of honey, nuts and curry powder. Fat and spicy, and slightly pètillant. Boasts rather thick honey and apricot flavors (and a bit of residual sugar?) yet manages to be fresh and spicy. Finishes with good length.

A touch creamy and showing fresh corn and haystack on the nose, but in the mouth itandrsquo;s plump, good and mild, with fleshy white fruit flavors sitting in front of a smooth, lightly pithy finish. Yes, itandrsquo;s another warm-climate tropical Chardonnay. But itandrsquo;s a good one thatandrsquo;s easy to drink.

Exhibits a Burgundian-like leesy, smoky, toasty, roasted nut and tropical fruit-scented nose of moderate complexity. In the mouth, it is rich, concentrated and nicely-textured, with medium to full body, and gobs of ripe, honeyed, citrusy fruit with orange and tangerine notes. This is a delicious, complex, Burgundian-styled Chardonnay for drinking over the next 2 years.

"The 2009 Catena Chardonnay combines the unique expressions of two high altitude Catena estate vineyards. The Agrelo vineyard offers honeyed stone fruit flavors with a rich

Spicy aromas follow through on the palate to notes of pineapple, melon and citrus zest that lead to a chalky finish. Drink now.

Catena continues to produce excellent chardonnay in a lush, California style set by Paul Hobbs in the early '90s. The '95 is a particularly friendly and inviting wine, balanced among elements of fresh pineapple-scented fruit, mineral complexities from aging on the lees, and forward scents of oak. It's already well evolved, generous and fleshy, ready to enjoy with a simple roast chicken or pork loin.

A touch creamy and showing fresh corn and haystack on the nose, but in the mouth it’s plump, good and mild, with fleshy white fruit flavors sitting in front of a smooth, lightly pithy finish. Yes, it’s another warm-climate tropical Chardonnay. But it’s a good one that’s easy to drink.