2019 Puramun Chardonnay Reserva Uco Valley 750 ml

Argentina’s Catena Zapata is an icon. José “Pepe” Galante made it one.  

As their chief winemaker for over three decades, Galante made Catena Zapata’s high-altitude Chardonnay their world-class calling card for white wines. He also earned a spot in the pantheon: Master of Wine Tim Atkin has called him a “winemaking legend,” while Paul Hobbs simply dubbed him “Argentina’s greatest winemaker.” 

Now, Galante channels his skills into his first-ever family project—and his 2019 Puramun Chardonnay Reserva is one of the most pedigreed white wine steals we’ve had from south of the equator. We were incredibly fortunate to snag an allocation of this vibrant, aromatic, mineral-rich masterpiece, which is made in a TINY 500-case quantity and shows off every bit of the legendary winemaker’s artistry.

Boasting 92-point scores from James Suckling and Vinous, this is as good as Chardonnay gets at or below $20.

After achieving generational fame at Catena Zapata and Bodega Salentein, Galante started Puramun, his first and only personal project. The label name means “harvest” or “search” in the indigenous Mapuche language of Mendoza, reflecting his willingness to start anew with each vintage, continually hunting out overperforming lots and vineyards.

In 2019, a year that Argentine winemakers have crowned “their best vintage of the decade,” according to Decanter, Galante looked to the celebrated Paraje Altamira region in the southern Uco Valley. Crafted from sustainably farmed, hand-harvested fruit, the wine ferments using only indigenous yeast, then ages for nine months in 20% new Burgundy barrels. 

The result is elegant yet full-bodied, filled with complex flavors underlined by a marvelous acidity. It’s a signature effort from the godfather of Argentine wine, at a signature bargain price.