The 2020 Chardonnay Catena Alta is a blend of grapes, 20% from Villa Bastías and 80% from Gualtallary, Uco Valley, that spent 14 months aging on the lees in French barrels. Pale golden yellow in color. The oak sets the tone on the nose, which features expressive notes of caramel, sandalwood and vanilla against a backdrop of apple, ginger and herbs. Terse and slick on the palate, this has a compact flow and a saline edge before smoky aromas come out at the back of the mouth, then pair with vibrant, fruity flavors during the lengthy finish.

The creamy and mellow 2020 Catena Alta Chardonnay comes from a warmer year, and the wine shows it. It still has moderate alcohol (13.6%) and ripeness and keeps the balance and poise, but the oak is a little more noticeable than in the 2021 I tasted next to it. 87,600 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2021.