Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard White Stones Chardonnay 2024

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.

The Adrianna vineyard is located at almost 5,000’ elevation in the Gualtallary sub-district of the Tupungato region. The rocky soil prevents deep root growth and allows for ideal drainage conditions. These are very poor soils where the vines are constantly in conditions of stress. The cool nights allow for very slow ripening, optimal acid retention and low yields.

James Suckling: 99 points — “austere and restrained… pure, radical and stonier… resembling great Chablis but with firmer acidity and no toastiness”

Wine Advocate: 96 points — “pure and focused on the nose, with green fruits, citrus peels, dried flowers, iodine and resinous herbal aromas… racy, chalky and effortless finish”