Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Chardonnay White Stones
2019
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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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.
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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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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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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