Catena Zapata's 2006 Chardonnay was sourced from three estate vineyards and fermented with natural yeasts. It then spent 10 months sur-lie in French oak 40% new. Light gold-colored with a slight green tint it exhibits a nose of slate toast butterscotch pear and apple. Medium-bodied the wine is nicely balanced by crisp acidity and the flavors are intense and persistent. Drink this outstanding value over the next 1-2 years.When all is said and done Catena Zapata is the Argentina winery of reference - the standard of excellence for comparing all others. The brilliant forward-thinking Nicolas Catena remains in charge with his daughter Laura playing an increasingly large role. The Catena Zapata winery is an essential destination for fans of both architecture and wine in Mendoza. It is hard to believe given the surge in popularity of Malbec in recent years that Catena Zapata only began exporting Malbec to the United States in 1994.