Catena Zapata

Adrianna Vineyard White Stones

Nicolás Catena dared to plant vines where no one thought they would ripen. His high-altitude wine revolution culminated in the discovery of a new terroir for wine, the Adrianna Vineyard, at almost 5,000 feet elevation.

He discovered that the average temperature decreases with higher altitudes, and the diurnal range increases. The cooler climate at this extreme elevation preserves natural acidity and increases polyphenols, while the intense mountain sunlight strengthens the tannins, producing wines of incredible depth and complexity. The wines consistently prove to have more minerality and acidity than wines from other sites in the Southern Uco Valley at lower altitudes.

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Wine Production

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.

Tasting Notes

The ground here is covered with oval white stones. Delicate aroma with mineral notes and white flowers. Delicious flavors of jasmine and white peach gently intertwined with a fresh mineral side. A lively and refreshing acidity with a long, lingering finish.

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Wine Production

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.

Tasting Notes

Brand Materials

Tech Sheet Bottle Shot Acclaim

POINTS

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.

POINTS

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.

POINTS

“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.”

James Suckling

POINTS

“Produced in what Alejandro Vigil identifies as a “white wine year,” this is the latest in a run of delicious releases of White Stones. Fermented in older oak, it comes from selected rows within the Adrianna Vineyard. Subtle vanilla spice and petrichor aromas segue into a palate of oatmeal, gunflint and lemon butter and a bright, focused, effortlessly poised finish.”

Vineyard & Production Info

Production area/appellation:

Gualtallary

Vineyard name:

The Adrianna Vineyard (Block 1)

Soil composition:

Stony

Training method:

VSP

Elevation:

4,575 feet

Exposure:

Northwestern

Year vineyard planted:

1992

Harvest time:

March - April

Bottles produced of this wine:

6000

Winemaking & Aging

Varietal composition:

100% Chardonnay

Fermentation container:

Barriques

Malolactic fermentation:

Yes

Type of aging container:

Barrels

Size of aging container:

225 L

Type of oak:

French

Analytical Data

pH level:

3.15

Acidity:

7.85 g/L

Alcohol:

13 %

Residual sugar:

<1.8 g/L

About the Vineyard

Adrianna Vineyard is considered the most studied vineyard in the world. The Catena Institute of Wine has published 25 papers focused on micro-organisms, pollinators, birds, and native vegetation in prestigious peer-reviewed journals. A dedicated task force monitors energy consumption, weather stations map soils, 44 nesting crates provide habitats for native birds, and 39% of the vineyard land remains in virgin conditions.

Each of the Catena Zapata family vineyards is divided into parcels according to their soil composition. These parcels are farmed individually, with an eye on encouraging their most authentic fruit expression. The Adrianna Vineyard wines are Certified Organic by Letis.

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