INSIDER'S PICK: 2020 CATENA 'APPELLATION WHITE CLAY' SEMILLON/CHENIN BLANC LUJAN DE CUYO (VINOUS 92points) $23.99

Even though we will not be doing the public tasting portion of the Insider's Pick until further notice, we will still be offering the wine for purchase with the usual 10% discount on Thursday and Friday. The wines will still be ones we highly recommend, and the tasting notes will still be our own. We will be returning to doing just the one wine on Thursdays and Fridays until further notice. We hope you are able to come by and get some wines to enjoy.

The DNA of the Catena family is prevalent all over our Argentina selections, from their estate wines, value series under the Tilia name, and various spin-off projects from family members and long time employees striking out on their own. They are truly one of the most influential names in Argentinian winemaking, especially when it comes to exploring vineyards at higher altitudes. The more extreme growing conditions here stresses the vines and intensifies the resulting wines, most notably in their single vineyard/single parcel series of reds and whites, which are considered among the very best from the Southern Hemisphere. Their 'Appellation' series examines the same concept but at a more general and affordable look at individual varieties. This white is the newest entry in that series; a bit of a tweak in that it isn't a true single area, but a blend of common soil types dominated by clay. Inspired by the White Bordeaux style with Semillon dominating and a notable presence of French barrel aging, the tweak is using Chenin Blanc instead of Sauvignon Blanc that really plays up the waxy, honeyed richness in both varieties. Lots of golden fruit, barrel notes and beeswax to the nose, very lush and intensely promising, with an equal amount of weight and power to the palate. Surprisingly, the creamy citrus texture has very good acidity born from the higher altitudes that cuts through the finish to bring out some nice citrus tones and keeps the wine from feeling anywhere close to cloying of flabby, A great pairing with creamier seafood dishes or a saucy pork loin. 

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