Catena Zapata - Chardonnay 'White Bones' Adrianna Vineyard 2015

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.

The Adrianna vineyard is located at almost 5,000’ elevation in the Gualtallary sub-district of the Tupungato region. White Bones Chardonnay comes from select rows within Block 1 of the Adrianna Vineyard. The name refers to the soil underneath these rows, which is layered with calcareous deposits and limestone as well as fossilized animal bones – remnants of a river that used to pass through the region.

There are many theories about why the grapes coming from these rows have such distinctive floral aromatics with an earthy minerality in the nose and palate. It may be related to the minerals in the soil or to the effects that the calcareous deposits have on root penetration.

At this extreme high altitude, the nights are cool, only a few degrees above freezing even in the summer. The night-day temperature difference is between 15 and 20 degrees. And the sunlight is more intense because of the altitude.

500 lts foudres. Wild yeasts. Unfined and unfiltered. 

Soil composition: Alluvial origin. Calcareous soil. Altitude: 4.757 ft (1.450 m) elevation

Cold settling for 12 hours in stainless steel tanks at 6º C. Fermentation in French oak barrels for 45 – 95 days at 16°C. Battonage. Partial malolactic fermentation. Aged for 12-16 months in 2nd, 3d and 4th use French oak barrels.

"I had two vintages to taste from the two whites from Adrianna Vineyard, which provided a fascinating comparison. Like all the rest, the 2015 White Bones Chardonnay had a long fermentation with wild yeasts and aged in French barriques for some 12 to 16 months, depending on the lot. It's fascinating to compare this with the 2016 and with both years from the White Stones. This is the more exuberant, open, aromatic and balsamic of the four wines, while it is still very young and fresh. The palate is also very expressive and combines power with elegance and freshness. It's long, tasty and mineral, with a salty finish. 4,500 bottles were filled in July 2016." - 96 Points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"This is a layered and dense Bones with lots of ripe pineapple and mango character. Fresh Thai basil, too. Full body, juicy and ripe fruit and a fantastic finish. Typically generous and flamboyant. Release in October 2018. Drink now." - 94 Points, James Suckling

Producer: Bodega Catena Zapata

Country: Argentina

Region: Mendoza

Varietal: Chardonnay

Appellation: Gualtallary

Vintage: 2015

Size: 750ml