Catena Zapata Adrianna - Vineyard 'White Stones' Chardonnay 2022

Founded in 1902 by Italian Nicola Catena, Catena Zapata is Argentina’s oldest winery still in the founding family’s hands. The winery architecture is distinguished by its Mayan-inspired pyramid design. Catena Zapata is known for its pioneering role in resurrecting the Malbec grape and in discovering extreme high-altitude terroirs in the Andean foothills of Mendoza. Following in her father Nicolás Catena Zapata’s footsteps, fourth-generation vintner Dr. Laura Catena leads the winery and its think-tank, the Catena Institute of Wine.  The institute, founded by Dr. Catena in 1995, collaborates with local and foreign universities and has the ambitious mission of advancing Argentina’s winemaking regions for another 200 years. Its research is published in peer reviewed international journals and shared with the wider world wine community.  Today, the Catena sisters, Laura and Adrianna, lead the way in preserving Argentina’s old vines and the country’s ungrafted, massale Malbec heritage.  Catena Zapata’s Adrianna Vineyard has been awarded more 100-point ratings than any other South American winery, and in 2023, it was voted #1 World’s Best Vineyard by a group of 500 food, wine and travel writers (William Reed of 50 Best, World’s Best Vineyards Awards). 

Alejandro Vigil has Master’s Degrees in both Winemaking and Irrigation Management from Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. He began his professional career at the National Agricultural Technology Institute, taking over the Soil Analysis Department at 28 years old. Alejandro has been Chief Winemaker of Bodega Catena Zapata since 2002, receiving the first 100-point score awarded to a South American wine by Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate and the first 100-point score for an Argentine Chardonnay from James Suckling. He has been recognized as Winemaker of the Year by Tim Atkin and is president of Wines of Argentina.

White Stones Chardonnay comes from a select 27 rows within Block 1 of the Adrianna Vineyard. The name refers to the gravelly ground beneath the vines, which is covered with white oval stones. 100% Chardonnay, fermented and aged in barriques.

“The 2022 Adrianna Vineyard Chardonnay White Stones is more introverted, understated and explicitly chiseled than its more textural and exotic White Bone companion. On the nose, it opens with transparent yet focused aromas of citrus pith and crushed stones, introducing a sleek, vibrant and laser-focused palate. The finish is similarly angular and incisive, continuously generating additional depth and dimension with time in the glass. While I slightly preferred the White Bones bottling due to its extra gear of complexity and textural depth, this is another clear-cut yardstick by which to measure the progress of Argentine white-wine production.” - 97 Points, Wine Advocate

“The 2022 Chardonnay Adrianna Vineyard White Stones hails from a cool and slightly dry vintage in the Uco Valley. Sourced from a small gravel and limestone plot in Gualtallary, it displays a green hue in the glass. Its aromas feature lime, green apple and herbs, with subtle notes of ginger and acacia. Dry, nimble and refreshing, the chalky texture enlivens the slightly lean palate, with a long-lasting, fruit-driven finish. A high-altitude wine, the 2022 growing season brought an extra layer of freshness to this Chardonnay.” - 97 Points, Vinous

“This is always minerally and incisive and very different from White Bones. This is more classic chardonnay, with lots of freshly squeezed lemons, wet stone, flint and seashells. Brisk acidity on a medium-to full-bodied palate. Tense and intense, but this is acid-driven with a fine touch of salinity that lingers at the end.” - 97 Points, James Suckling

Producer: Bodega Catena Zapata

Country: Argentina

Region: Mendoza

Varietal: Chardonnay

Appellation: Mendoza

Vintage: 2022

Size: 750ml