Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Chardonnay White Stones 2021

CATENA

Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Chardonnay White Stones
2021

  • Sustainable
  • Vegan
Country
Argentina
Regulated designation
Dénomination origine (DOC)
Region
Mendoza
Varietal(s)
Chardonnay 100 %
Colour
White
Sugar
Dry
Producer's website

About this winery

At heart, Catena is a story about family. Family who poured their lives, passion and spirit into transforming scrub-laden desert into some of the most beautiful and unique vineyards in the world. Family that passed their knowledge from generation to generation, blending collective memory with state-of-the-art science from the new world of viticulture. Family who, through risk-taking, faith and a little luck, transformed their treasured Mendoza terroir into the fountainhead of the award-winning...

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Production notes

For over four generations, the Catena family has grown vines in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Mendoza, Argentina. In his pursuit to make wines that stand with the best in the world, Nicolás Catena identified the best lots, and rows, in the Catena family’s estate vineyards. White Stones Chardonnay comes from a select 27 rows within Block 1 of the Adrianna Vineyard. The name refers to the ground beneath the vines which is covered with gravel - oval white stones.

Press reviews

Wine Advocate

- 98 points -

November 2022 (Vintage 2021)

The 2021 White Stones Chardonnay is subtler and more elegant, a little closed with moderate ripeness and alcohol (12.5%) and a mineral palate with strong chalky sensations. It might be worth reproducing their explanation about this wine, one of the finest whites in Argentina: "The term 'white stones' refers to the composition of said rows of soil, with white oval stones covered by gravel. The vineyard 'Adrianna' is planted at an altitude of almost 1,500 meters above sea level, in the district of Gualtallary in Tupungato. The stony soil prevents deep root growth, providing optimum drainage. These soils are very poor in organic matter and contribute to support vines' permanent stress conditions. The cool nights allow for very slow ripening, optimal acid retention and low yields."

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James Suckling

- 98 points -

April 2023 (Vintage 2021)

A very mineral, flinty chardonnay full of wet stones, lime and some green fruit. Austere and chalky on the medium-bodied palate, really transparent and elegant with super bright and beautifully integrated acidity. Pure, linear and long.

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Tim Atkin MW

- 97 points -

May 2021

I generally have a slight preference for White Bones over White Stones, but in 2019 they are equally brilliant. This is slightly broader in style than its stable mate, but has similar focus and precision. Leesy, spicy and layered, with notes of nutmeg, lemongrass and vanilla and mouth-watering acidity.

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Vinous

- 97 points -

August 2022 (Vintage 2020)

The 2020 Chardonnay Adrianna Vineyard White Stones from Gualtallary, Uco Valley, was barrel-aged for 16 months. Greenish-yellow in the glass. The intense, layered nose presents bold aromas of green apple, pear, hints of linden blossom and ginger with touches of lemon and herbs. In the mouth, it’s concentrated, rooted in a lively, heightened freshness while maintaining the variety’s expansive flow, which also delivers salinity and long-lasting flavor. A thrilling white that defines this nook of the Uco Valley.

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James Suckling

- 97 points -

March 2022 (Vintage 2020)

Lemon zest, pineapple, white pepper, cloves, jasmine, crushed stones and chalk on the nose. Medium-bodied, focused and phenolic. Very fine, mineral and tight with persistent energy and vivid acidity. Creamy, with salted-almond notes at the end.

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James Suckling

- 97 points -

April 2021

A very fresh, bright white with sliced apple, pear and light cream. Full-bodied with a very pretty texture. Mineral, chalk and lightly salty mineral undertones. Intense finish. Really takes off.

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Vinous

- 95 points -

June 2021

The 2019 Chardonnay White Stones Adrianna Vineyard is from the eponymous vineyard in Tupungato, Uco Valley, and was aged for up to 16 months in used French barrels. Bright yellow in the glass. The nose offers hazelnuts, herbs and a whiff of oak alongside hints of linden blossom and acacia. Intense and concentrated in the mouth, this has a skeletal structure and a compact, saline, tangy palate before powerful aromas of fruit and oak gather at the back of the throat to deliver an elongated finish helped along by the acidity.

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Tim Atkin MW

- 95 points -

June 2022 (Vintage 2020)

White Stones, as its name suggests, comes from alluvial soils with a significant percentage of clay. Fermented in older wood, with 20% malolactic, it’s the latest in a long line of impressive Chardonnay releases from Alejandro Vigil. Perfumed and subtly wooded, with a hint of gunflint, passion fruit and clementine flavours and a taut, mineral-etched finish.

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