Bodega Catena Zapata
White Stones Vino de Parcela Adrianna Vineyard Chardonnay
Mendoza, Cuyo, Argentina
Wonderful! Great weight, nice mineral. Developed nicely.
Wonderful! Great weight, nice mineral. Developed nicely.
Feb 18th, 2023
On the nose, lots of honeysuckle & citrus blossoms, green apple, ripe pineapple (near juice), green melon, some mango, popcorn without much butter, Jasmine, spring flowers, just a hint of spice, stones, some light vanilla and beeswax.
The body, thick, full and a touch waxy. It’s delicious. honeysuckle & citrus blossoms, green apple, ripe pineapple, green melon, mango, lemon, lime-near candy, popcorn without much butter, Jasmine, spring flowers, more spice on the palate, mid intensity crushed volcanic minerals that cut across the palate like a blade, stones, some light vanilla and beeswax. The acidity is round and beautiful. The long, full, well balanced finish is excellent and lasts a couple of minutes. Their near perfect softer wood use on this Chardonnay is right in the center of my wheelhouse. I would drink this over just about every CA Chardonnay I’ve ever had.
Photos of, Catena Zapata with the beautiful snowy Andes Mountains in the background, the White Stone Vineyard soil this wine grows, Laura and Nicolás Catena Zapata and their amazingly beautiful barrel room.
On the nose, lots of honeysuckle & citrus blossoms, green apple, ripe pineapple (near juice), green melon, some mango, popcorn without much butter, Jasmine, spring flowers, just a hint of spice, stones, some light vanilla and beeswax.
The body, thick, full and a touch waxy. It’s delicious. honeysuckle & citrus blossoms, green apple, ripe pineapple, green melon, mango, lemon, lime-near candy, popcorn without much butter, Jasmine, spring flowers, more spice on the palate, mid intensity crushed volcanic minerals that cut across the palate like a blade, stones, some light vanilla and beeswax. The acidity is round and beautiful. The long, full, well balanced finish is excellent and lasts a couple of minutes. Their near perfect softer wood use on this Chardonnay is right in the center of my wheelhouse. I would drink this over just about every CA Chardonnay I’ve ever had.
Photos of, Catena Zapata with the beautiful snowy Andes Mountains in the background, the White Stone Vineyard soil this wine grows, Laura and Nicolás Catena Zapata and their amazingly beautiful barrel room.
Menthol, medicinal, herbaceous, pronounced aromas, super ripe fruit, honey, rounder style with good body. Not my style of wine but will throw you on a loop in a blind tasting.
Menthol, medicinal, herbaceous, pronounced aromas, super ripe fruit, honey, rounder style with good body. Not my style of wine but will throw you on a loop in a blind tasting.
1 person found it helpfulMay 16th, 2018
Superb. Great minerality. Perfect integration. Quartz
Superb. Great minerality. Perfect integration. Quartz
1 person found it helpfulOct 1st, 2017
Catena Zapata – Adrianna Vineyard “White Stones” Chardonnay 2014
Mendoza, Argentina 🇦🇷
Overview
A single-parcel, 100% Chardonnay sourced from the legendary Adrianna Vineyard, located at extreme altitude in the Gualtallary subregion of Mendoza, among the highest and most distinctive vineyard sites in the Southern Hemisphere. This parcel, known as White Stones, is defined by limestone-rich, calcareous soils that drive tension, minerality, and precision. Fermented and aged with restraint to allow site expression to dominate, this wine delivers a powerful yet cerebral interpretation of Chardonnay.
Aromas & Flavors
Crushed limestone, green apple, lemon zest, and pear skin lead, followed by subtle notes of white flowers, wet stone, and faint almond. Oak is present but discreet, adding texture rather than flavor, allowing the mineral core to shine.
Mouthfeel
Electric and tightly wound. High acidity provides drive and focus, while the palate remains dense and layered. There’s a striking contrast between power and precision, broad on entry, razor-sharp through the mid-palate, and persistent on the finish.
Food Pairings
Raw oysters, scallop crudo, ceviche, grilled halibut, or aged goat cheese. Also compelling on its own for contemplative tasting.
Verdict
A benchmark New World Chardonnay that challenges Old World expectations. Intense, mineral-driven, and intellectually engaging, this is terroir speaking loudly and clearly.
Did You Know?
Adrianna Vineyard sits at nearly 5,000 feet above sea level, where extreme UV exposure, cool nights, and limestone soils contribute to naturally high acidity and profound mineral expression , often compared to Grand Cru Chablis.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
It’s like Chablis on steroids, same mineral backbone and tension, but amplified in scale, depth, and presence. A thrilling wine that always leaves an impression. Also, what’s truly remarkable is how incredibly fresh and vibrant it remains despite being a 2014, showcasing Adrianna Vineyard’s extraordinary altitude, acidity, and aging potential.
Catena Zapata – Adrianna Vineyard “White Stones” Chardonnay 2014
Mendoza, Argentina 🇦🇷
Overview
A single-parcel, 100% Chardonnay sourced from the legendary Adrianna Vineyard, located at extreme altitude in the Gualtallary subregion of Mendoza, among the highest and most distinctive vineyard sites in the Southern Hemisphere. This parcel, known as White Stones, is defined by limestone-rich, calcareous soils that drive tension, minerality, and precision. Fermented and aged with restraint to allow site expression to dominate, this wine delivers a powerful yet cerebral interpretation of Chardonnay.
Aromas & Flavors
Crushed limestone, green apple, lemon zest, and pear skin lead, followed by subtle notes of white flowers, wet stone, and faint almond. Oak is present but discreet, adding texture rather than flavor, allowing the mineral core to shine.
Mouthfeel
Electric and tightly wound. High acidity provides drive and focus, while the palate remains dense and layered. There’s a striking contrast between power and precision, broad on entry, razor-sharp through the mid-palate, and persistent on the finish.
Food Pairings
Raw oysters, scallop crudo, ceviche, grilled halibut, or aged goat cheese. Also compelling on its own for contemplative tasting.
Verdict
A benchmark New World Chardonnay that challenges Old World expectations. Intense, mineral-driven, and intellectually engaging, this is terroir speaking loudly and clearly.
Did You Know?
Adrianna Vineyard sits at nearly 5,000 feet above sea level, where extreme UV exposure, cool nights, and limestone soils contribute to naturally high acidity and profound mineral expression , often compared to Grand Cru Chablis.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
It’s like Chablis on steroids, same mineral backbone and tension, but amplified in scale, depth, and presence. A thrilling wine that always leaves an impression. Also, what’s truly remarkable is how incredibly fresh and vibrant it remains despite being a 2014, showcasing Adrianna Vineyard’s extraordinary altitude, acidity, and aging potential.
A different kind of Chardonnay that I have never tried before but highly recommended by a wine buddy. This had lots of citrus, floral & mineral flavors with good balance, length & acidity.
A different kind of Chardonnay that I have never tried before but highly recommended by a wine buddy. This had lots of citrus, floral & mineral flavors with good balance, length & acidity.
Sep 16th, 2018Probably the best Chardonnay that I have ever had.
Probably the best Chardonnay that I have ever had.
Sep 6th, 2018
