Catena Zapata White Stones Chardonnay 2020

Catena Zapata White Stones Chardonnay 2020

 

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Catena Zapata
White Stones Chardonnay 2020
  • Vintage : 2020
  • Country : Argentina
  • Region : Mendoza
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Creamy Full Bodied White
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 12,9°
  • Grappes : 100% Chardonnay

The White Stones Chardonnay from Catena Zapata is a fresh, mineral-driven Chardonnay with aromas of white flowers and stone fruit. Grown at 4,575 feet in the Adrianna Vineyard, this wine captures the essence of its stony, calcareous soils.

Experts Score Vintage
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 97 2020
JS James Suckling 97 2020
RP Robert Parker 96 2020
DCT Decanter 95 2020
WS Wine Spectator 90 2020
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Adrianna Vineyard is located in Gualtallary, a sub-region of the Uco Valley in Mendoza, Argentina. Planted in 1992, this vineyard sits at an elevation of 1,395 meters (4,575 feet), making it one of the highest vineyards in Mendoza. The Block 1 portion of the vineyard, where the White Stones Chardonnay is sourced, is named for the large oval stones that cover the ground. These stones are remnants of ancient alluvial deposits, which give the soil a unique character, imparting minerality and freshness to the wines​.

The vineyard benefits from a northwestern exposure, receiving ample sunlight during the day but cooling down significantly at night due to its altitude. This creates a long growing season that allows the grapes to ripen slowly while maintaining high natural acidity, resulting in wines of great elegance and balance​.

Winemaking

The White Stones Chardonnay 2020 is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. After being harvested in March and April, the grapes underwent cold settling for 12 hours at 6°C to preserve freshness. Fermentation took place in French oak barrels over a period of 45 to 95 days at a controlled temperature of 16°C. Bâtonnage (lees stirring) was employed to enhance texture, and about two-thirds of the wine underwent partial malolactic fermentation to add complexity without compromising its vibrant acidity​.

The wine was then aged for 12-16 months in second, third, and fourth-use French oak barrels, allowing it to develop depth while maintaining a delicate oak influence​.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Pale yellow with bright clarity.
  • Aroma: Delicate and refined aromas of white flowers, jasmine, and white peach, complemented by subtle mineral notes.
  • Palate: On the palate, the wine is elegant and refreshing, with flavors of white peach and jasmine intertwined with a crisp minerality. The wine’s lively acidity contributes to its refreshing quality, leading to a long and lingering finish​.

Did you know?

The name “White Stones” refers to the large, oval-shaped stones covered with a thin white layer of calcium, found in Block 1 of the Adrianna Vineyard. These stones were formed from alluvial deposits that eroded down the mountain, creating a unique vineyard site that imparts a distinctive mineral quality to the wine​.

History of Catena Zapata Estate

Founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena, Catena Zapata has been a family-owned winery for over a century. The estate saw significant evolution under the leadership of Nicola’s grandson, Nicolás Catena Zapata, who joined the family business in the early 1980s.

Nicolás Catena's vision was instrumental in transforming the Argentinian wine industry. His focus on high-altitude viticulture, particularly in the Andean foothills, has been a key factor in achieving the unique expression of Mendoza's wines.

Nicolás Catena’s daughter, Dr. Laura Catena, a Harvard and Stanford-trained biologist and physician, joined the winery in the 1990s. She has continued her father's legacy, emphasizing scientific research and sustainable practices. Under her guidance, Catena Zapata has been at the forefront of vineyard research, studying the effects of altitude, climate, and soil on wine quality.

Region and Vineyards

Catena Zapata is located in the Mendoza region, specifically in the sub-regions of Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. The vineyards are planted at elevations ranging from 920 meters (3,020 feet) to 1,450 meters (4,757 feet) above sea level. The high-altitude vineyards provide a unique microclimate with significant diurnal temperature variations, which contribute to the grapes' complex flavors and balanced acidity.

The estate’s top vineyards include:

  • Adrianna Vineyard: Located at 1,450 meters, this is one of the highest vineyards in Mendoza and is renowned for producing exceptional Chardonnay and Malbec.
  • Nicasia Vineyard: Situated at 1,095 meters in the Altamira district of the Uco Valley, known for its Malbec and Cabernet Franc.
  • La Pirámide Vineyard: Found at 950 meters in Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, this vineyard is celebrated for its Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wine Range

Catena Zapata offers a diverse range of wines, showcasing the rich variety of Mendoza’s terroir. The portfolio includes:

  • Catena Alta: High-quality varietal wines representing the best of the estate's vineyards.
  • Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard: Single-vineyard wines from the prestigious Adrianna Vineyard, including the iconic "White Bones" and "White Stones" Chardonnay.
  • Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino: A flagship Malbec that exemplifies the winery’s dedication to high-altitude viticulture.
  • Nicolás Catena Zapata: The winery’s flagship Bordeaux-style blend, which has gained international acclaim.

Did you know?

Catena Zapata was the first winery in Argentina to receive a 100-point score from a major wine publication, awarded by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate for the 2016 Adrianna Vineyard "River" Malbec.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 97 Points (2020)
The 2020 Chardonnay Adrianna Vineyard White Stones from Gualtallary, Uco Valley, was barrel-aged for 16 months. Greenish-yellow in the glass. The intense, layered nose presents bold aromas of green apple, pear, hints of linden blossom and ginger with touches of lemon and herbs. In the mouth, it’s concentrated, rooted in a lively, heightened freshness while maintaining the variety’s expansive flow, which also delivers salinity and long-lasting flavor. A thrilling white that defines this nook of the Uco Valley.

James Suckling (JS) : 97 Points (2020)
Lemon zest, pineapple, white pepper, cloves, jasmine, crushed stones and chalk on the nose. Medium-bodied, focused and phenolic. Very fine, mineral and tight with persistent energy and vivid acidity. Creamy, with salted-almond notes at the end. Drink from 2023.

Robert Parker (RP) : 96 Points (2020)
I had the opportunity to taste two vintages (2020 and 2021) of the top whites side by side and could see the differences of the two years quite clearly, as the wines express the natural conditions of the year quite faithfully. The 2020 White Stones Chardonnay is riper than the other three wines; it's a very good wine, but it shows the warmer year with a rounder mouthfeel, faintly creamy, still a little closed in the nose, which slowly reveals yellow fruit and some spice. The palate is quite gentle, with 13% alcohol and very good balance. Best after 2023.

Decanter (DCT) : 95 Points (2020)
Catena Zapata was founded in 1902, with a focus on high altitude plantings in Mendoza. Its famed Adrianna vineyard sits above 1,450m, ensuring a quality crop with good acid retention as a result of the cool night-time temperatures. The wine is 100% Chardonnay from a small selection of vines on stony, free-draining soils with a topsoil of oval-shaped white stones. Fermented in French oak, the wine also goes through partial malolactic fermentation before ageing 12-16 months in seasoned French oak barrels with batonnage throughout. Amanda Barnes: Great purity and wet stone character. Vibrant acidity and great tension on the finish. Ben Gubbins MW: Fresh, light and vibrant with red apple skin, lemon, good intensity and tension. Dirceu Vianna Junior MW: Graceful and attractive with lovely aromas of citrus fruits, yellow plum, star fruit, fresh dough and hints of sweet spices. Refined, silky texture and beautiful underlining freshness. (AB) (7/2022)

Wine Spectator (WS) : 90 Points (2020)
Restrained and elegant, with floral citrus and melon flavors and powerful minerality adding texture and expanding its presence. Ends with spicy details and hints of cream. Drink now through 2026.

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