Product Description
The Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard White Bones Chardonnay 2021 is a world-class expression of Chardonnay, hailing from one of the most unique and highly regarded vineyards in Argentina. Sourced from select rows within Block 1 of the Adrianna Vineyard, this wine is named for the calcareous soils, rich in limestone and fossilised animal bones, which contribute to its distinctive mineral character. Located at an exceptional 4,757 feet (1,450 meters) in the Gualtallary sub-district of Mendoza’s Uco Valley, the Adrianna Vineyard benefits from extreme altitude, which offers intense sunlight and cool nights, allowing for a slow and steady ripening process that preserves the wine's natural acidity and enhances its aromatic complexity.
The White Bones Chardonnay is crafted using wild yeasts and aged for 12 to 16 months in second, third, and fourth-use French oak barrels. This careful winemaking process yields a wine that balances the rich minerality of its soil with the elegance of the Chardonnay varietal. With remarkable depth and structure, this wine is both rich and precise, displaying vibrant acidity and layered flavours. The White Bones Chardonnay is an exceptional example of the quality and uniqueness of Catena Zapata’s high-altitude vineyards, offering a wine that combines power and finesse in equal measure.
Maker
Catena Zapata, a name synonymous with the finest wines of Argentina, has been at the forefront of high-altitude viticulture for over four generations. Founded by Nicolás Catena Zapata, who revolutionised the Argentine wine industry by focusing on the power of altitude, Catena Zapata wines are renowned for their precision, balance, and complexity. Nicolás Catena's dedication to finding the perfect terroir led him to identify the Adrianna Vineyard, located at nearly 5,000 feet in the Gualtallary sub-district of the Uco Valley. This vineyard is now regarded as one of the most studied and celebrated terroirs in the world.
With a commitment to producing world-class wines, Catena Zapata continues to innovate while respecting the legacy of the land. The winery combines cutting-edge research and sustainable farming practices, resulting in wines that showcase the unique characteristics of each vineyard. The Adrianna Vineyard White Bones Chardonnay 2021 is a testament to their commitment to excellence, crafted to express the singularity of this exceptional high-altitude vineyard.
The Vineyard (Adrianna Vineyard)
The Adrianna Vineyard sits at an altitude of 4,757 feet (1,450 meters) in the Gualtallary district of Mendoza’s Tupungato Alto region, part of the Uco Valley. Recognized as South America’s Grand Cru, this vineyard is one of the highest in the world, where the combination of intense sunlight, cool nights, and extreme temperature variation between day and night creates the ideal conditions for grape maturation. The White Bones parcel, where this Chardonnay is sourced, is named for the calcareous soils that are rich in limestone and fossilised animal bones—relics from a river that once ran through the region.
The soils in White Bones are alluvial in origin, providing excellent drainage and forcing the vines to struggle, resulting in low yields but exceptional fruit quality. These challenging conditions contribute to the wine’s remarkable complexity and unique character, making the Adrianna Vineyard one of the most sought-after vineyards in Mendoza. The vineyard’s extreme conditions and meticulous farming practices contribute to wines of incredible depth and concentration, with the White Bones Chardonnay being a prime example of the region’s exceptional potential.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Mineral Freshness with Floral Elegance
The Adrianna Vineyard White Bones Chardonnay 2021 opens with a delicate yet complex nose of vibrant citrus notes—grapefruit and lime—complemented by floral aromas of white flowers and a subtle touch of honey. The distinctive minerality from the calcareous soils adds a layer of complexity, reminiscent of crushed stones and a slight saltiness.
Palate
Rich, Balanced, and Textured
On the palate, this Chardonnay is full-bodied and textured, with flavours of ripe citrus fruits, green apple, and a hint of tropical pineapple. The richness of the wine is balanced by its crisp acidity, which provides freshness and lift. The subtle oak influence from the French barrels adds a layer of depth and complexity, with a touch of vanilla and toasted almonds rounding out the flavour profile.
Finish
Long and Lingering with a Mineral Finish
The finish is long and persistent, with a vibrant, citrus-driven freshness that lingers on the palate. A hint of minerality and a touch of oak come through, adding to the wine's complexity and balance. This Chardonnay's clean, crisp finish makes it a highly enjoyable wine, both now and for years to come.
What an exotic, perfumed yet elegant nose here full of thyme, local herbs, green papaya, ginger and green curry. Lemon grass and lime zest. So fresh and elegant on the palate with a chalky texture to the centre-palate. Really transparent, subtle, quiet and long. A unique chardonnay from a cool and elegant vintage, but intense and idiosyncratic. Unique to the landscape. - James Suckling, 99 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Chardonnay
Country - Argentina
Region - Mendoza
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12.5%
