Nicola Cantena planted his first Malbec vineyard in Mendoza in 1902 and today the estate is run by Nicholas Catena and his daughter Laura. Malbec continues to be the estates focus and the wineries pristine vineyards lie at the base of the Andes on soils of sand, lime and stone at altitudes between 920 and 1120 metres above sea level. Over the last 20 years, the fastidous vineyard work of Nicholas and Laura has paid dividends and Catena Zapata is now one of Argentina's most famous estates. Lush, beautifully created wines are what you can expect from Catena Zapata.

This "single vineyard" wine is a faithful expression of Mendoza's highest altitude microclimate. Warm, sunny days and cool nights allow the chardonnay grapes grown at the foot of the Cordón del Plata mountain range to achieve excellent balance and maturity. Angélica Zapata Chardonnay Alta offers an intense golden colour with light shades of green. The nose is rich and full-flavored, with vibrant citrus fruit and attractive minerality. On the palate, a smooth sweet entry leads to an unctuous, fresh wine, packed with ripe fruit and subtle vanilla. The finish is long and lingering, with crisp, well-balanced acidity.