CATENA ZAPATA Chardonnay 'White Bones' Adrianna Vineyard - Gualtallary 2021 Bottle (los)

Description

The 2021 White Bones Chardonnay has garnered exceptional acclaim from critics, earning 99 points from James Suckling, who describes its nose as exotic and elegant, filled with aromas of thyme, green papaya, ginger, and lemongrass, complemented by a fresh palate and a chalky texture. Vinous awards it 98 points, praising its complex character with herbal notes and a lean, focused palate, enhanced by electric, saline energy for a refreshing mouthfeel. Additionally, The Wine Advocate rates it 98+ points, highlighting its seamless palate and mineral quality, as well as its ability to express the variety and terroir beautifully, despite being subtler than the previous vintage. These scores reflect the exquisite quality and remarkable identity of this Chardonnay.

*****

THE WINE ADVOCATE 98+ points
Drink Date: 2023 - 2031
The 2021 White Bones Chardonnay was harvested at two different points of ripeness and then blended into the final wine, which is subtler than the explosive 2020 I tasted next to it but with the same palette of aromas—thyme, rosemary, lavender, rockrose, white flowers, citrus, pine needles, incense, curry and spices—and the palate is seamless, mineral and with a chalky texture. It's brilliant and expresses the variety, vintage and soil perfectly, but today I give the edge to the 2020, which I think transcends the vintage. 6,240 bottles produced.

JAMES SUCKLING 99 points
What an exotic, perfumed yet elegant nose here full of thyme, local herbs, green papaya, ginger and green curry. Lemon grass and lime zest. So fresh and elegant on the palate with a chalky texture to the center-palate. Really transparent, subtle, quiet and long. A unique chardonnay from a cool and elegant vintage, but intense and idiosyncratic. Unique to the landscape. Drink now or hold.

VINOUS 98 points
The 2021 Chardonnay Adrianna Vineyard White Bones hails from Gualtallary, Uco Valley. It was aged for up to 16 months in used French barrels. An alluring yellow hue with a greenish sheen. The cool year imparted a distinctive, complex character featuring herbal aromas enriched by hop, sage, and thyme alongside hints of curry and acacia over a delicate layer of rose before late-developing pear and green apple notes. The palate has a lean, focused character, with a chalky texture and electric, saline energy enhancing the refreshing mouthfeel. A truly outstanding mountain Chardonnay. - Joaquín Hidalgo

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Catena Zapata is a renowned winery located in Mendoza, Argentina, celebrated for producing high-quality wines, especially its exceptional Malbec. Founded in 1902 by Nicola Catena, the winery has played a pivotal role in establishing Argentina's wine industry, focusing on the significance of terroir and altitude in grape cultivation. Catena Zapata emphasizes sustainable farming practices and meticulous vineyard management, with vineyards situated at various altitudes in the Andes foothills. The winery is known for its single-vineyard wines, which highlight the unique characteristics of each site. Its flagship wine, Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino, is praised for its depth, complexity, and rich flavors of dark fruit and spice, solidifying Catena Zapata's reputation as a top choice for wine enthusiasts and collectors.