Catena Zapata, Luján de Cuyo (Mendoza, Argentina) “White Clay” Semillón – Chenin 2022 ($25, Winebow)

A century ago, Sémillon and Chenin Blanc were two of the most widely planted white grapes in Argentina and they were commonly blended together. Times have certainly changed, but the Catena Zapata winery has taken a welcome step backward in time with their White Clay wine. While a new vintage has been released, the 2022 White Clay is still widely available and getting better with bottle age. White Clay is named for the clay-rich soil with a stony subsoil in the vineyard at a 3000+ foot elevation. It is a blend of Semillón and Chenin Blanc from this excellent site. It is a multilayered, pure, and exciting white that will make anyone a fan of this classic and nearly forgotten combination. Luscious scents of ripe pear, apple, pineapple, peach, and guava tantalize the olfactory sense. On the palate, it is luscious and pure, with layers of pear, peach and tropical fruits are enhanced by floral, cream and spice hints. The rich fruit is underscored by a delectably creamy texture, making the 2022 Catena White Clay a memorable white wine. It’s a great bargain for the quality in the bottle.
93 Wayne Belding