2022 White Stones Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
At almost 5,000-feet elevation in the cool of the region, growing deep in rocky soils, the light-bodied 2022 Chardonnay Adrianna Vineyard White Stones features compellingly grippy texture that excites the palate. Like its sister, White Bones, it sees 12-16 months in used French oak barrel, coaxing a light touch of spice from the wood. Herbal, earthy, and textural above all, it sings in buzzy acidity and yet retains a refined mouthfeel of length and complex angles, digging deep into ethereal flavors of lemon rind and wet stone. Drink now through 2042. This is incredibly delicious. Among the best-known names in Argentina and a pioneer in bringing fine Argentine wine to the world, particularly Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, Catena Zapata is a partnership between legendary founder Nicolas Catena and his daughter Laura.
Critic scores
Average Score
Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2022 Adrianna Vineyard Chardonnay White Stones is more introverted, understated and explicitly chiseled than its more textural and exotic White Bones 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.
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.
From Gualtallary Monasterio. White Stones comes from 27 rows within the vineyard, identified for the high concentration of gravel and oval white stones in the soil. Winemaking the same as for White Bones. Always the more voluptuous and powerful of this excellent Gualtallary duo of Chardonnay wines, White Stones has a broad, textured mouthfeel with a mineral tension on the finish with very fine, powdery tannin. Notes of baking spice, fresh white peach and subtle white flowers haunt the nose, and roll out on the long, impressive finish. (AB)
About the producer
Bodega Catena Zapata has been instrumental both in the development of fine wine production in Argentina and in realising the full potential of the Malbec grape.