We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
js99
James Suckling – 99 Points - "Fascinating nose of white lavender, lemon, pineapple, green apple, thyme, rosemary, sourdough, almond and oyster shell. It’s medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and a tense, spicy palate. So much flavor and fragrance. Incredibly expressive, with evolving layers of fresh fruit, spices, flowers and herbs." James Suckling, 99 Points
rp99
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – 99 Points - "The nose of the 2020 White Bones Chardonnay is an explosion of thyme and rockrose, aromatic, open, expressive, outspoken, showy and exuberant. It also has notes of white flowers and citrus, pine needles and incense, continuously developing new layers, curry, something smoky, more and more aromatic herbs, nuanced, complex and with a magnetic attraction that makes you go back to the glass over and over again. This was harvested all at the same time, whereas it was sometimes harvested over four different moments in the past; so this is a bit different and an extraordinary year for this wine, transcending the conditions of the year, with lower alcohol and pH (12.5% and 3.1) than the 2021, despite coming from a warmer year. This is very tasty and long, stony (more than White Stones!) and very persistent." Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, 99 Points
About This Wine
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.
| Type | White Wine |
|---|---|
| Varietal(s) | Chardonnay |
| Country | Argentina |
| Region | Mendoza |
| Brand | Catena Zapata |
| Vintage | 2020 |
Wines of Argentina
Argentina is the 5th largest wine producing nation in the world and the most important in South America. Summers here are generally hot and dry while snowy winters help to irrigate vineyards as melted snow flows down from the Andes mountains. Grapes very easily achieve full ripeness due to these growing conditions.
There are many grape varietals planted in Argentina, but the most famous and important is Argentinian Malbec. Grown best in the equally famous Mendoza region, the top-rated Malbec’s come from the high altitude sub regions of Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. These districts are located in the foothills of the Andes mountains between 850 and 1,520m in elevation. Argentinian winemaker Nicolas Catena Zapata was the first person to plant Malbec at such a high elevation of 1,500 metres, and is widely credited for elevating the status of Argentinian Malbec and the Mendoza region with this successful move.
Besides Malbec, there are many other grape varietals planted in the country. However, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are the two other varietals that are most notable. Pedro Gimenez is the most widely planted white grape varietal in Argentina, but unfortunately it does not get much exposure internationally.
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