Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard White Bones

Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard White Bones

Wine Description

Nicolás Catena dared to plant vines where no one thought they would ripen. His high-altitude wine revolution culminated in the discovery of a new terroir for wine, the Adrianna Vineyard, at almost 5,000 feet elevation. 

He discovered that the average temperature decreases with higher altitudes, and the diurnal range increases. The cooler climate at this extreme elevation preserves natural acidity and increases polyphenols, while the intense mountain sunlight strengthens the tannins, producing wines of incredible depth and complexity. The wines consistently prove to have more minerality and acidity than wines from other sites in the Southern Uco Valley at lower altitudes. 

Remington-Mendoza
Laura Catena sits at a table with a glass of wine
Malbec Grapes
Alejandro Vigil (Chief Winemaker) and Laura Catena Tasting
Malbec Clone in La Piramide Vineyard
Nicolás Catena
Bodega Catena Zapata
Bodega Catena Zapata
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Acclaim
“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.” — Vinous, Jul 2023
“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.” — James Suckling, Nov 2023
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Vineyard & Production Info
Production area/appellation:
Gualtallary
Vineyard name
The Adrianna Vineyard (Block 1)
Vineyard size
267 acres
Soil composition
Calcareous, Sand, and Stony
Training method
VSP
Elevation:
4,575 feet
Vines/acre:
2200
Yield/acre:
1.2 tons
Exposure:
Northwestern
Bottles produced of this wine:
4800
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Winemaking & Aging
Varietal composition:
100% Chardonnay
Maceration technique:
Battonage
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Size of aging container:
225L
Type of oak:
French
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.2
Acidity:
8.1 g/L
Alcohol:
12.7 %
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Wine Production

White Bones Chardonnay comes from select rows within Block 1 of the Adrianna Vineyard. The soil is layered with fossilized animal bones—remnants from a river that used to pass through the region. 

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About the Vineyard

Adrianna Vineyard is considered the most studied vineyard in the world. The Catena Institute of Wine has published 25 papers focused on micro-organisms, pollinators, birds, and native vegetation in prestigious peer-reviewed journals. A dedicated task force monitors energy consumption, weather stations map soils, 44 nesting crates provide habitats for native birds, and 39% of the vineyard land remains in virgin conditions.

Each of the Catena Zapata family vineyards is divided into parcels according to their soil composition. These parcels are farmed individually, with an eye on encouraging their most authentic fruit expression. The Adrianna Vineyard wines are Certified Organic by Letis.