2021 Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard 'White Stones' Chardonnay

Aromas of Meyer lemon, white peach, and jasmine integrate with intense notes of crushed gravel, flint, and a distinct saline edge. The palate is medium-bodied and remarkably vertical, featuring a sharp, electric acidity and a bone-dry finish. It possesses a crystalline purity and a stony texture that overrides the citrus fruit, leaving a persistent impression of cold stones and lime zest.

The winemaking team utilizes a highly selective process for this specific parcel of the Adrianna Vineyard. In the cellar, the grapes are whole-cluster pressed and fermented in 500-liter French oak barrels using native yeasts. A portion of the wine is aged under "flor," a thin layer of yeast, for several months. This contributes to the unique savory complexity and stabilizes the wine's aromatic profile. It matures for 12 to 16 months in French oak, with a focus on older barrels to ensure the mineral tension remains the primary focus.

The fruit is grown in the Adrianna Vineyard in the Gualtallary district of the Uco Valley, situated at an elevation of nearly 1,500 meters. The "White Stones" parcel is defined by a small, ancient riverbed filled with oval, calcium-carbonate-covered stones. These white stones reflect sunlight to help ripen the grapes in the cool mountain air while providing excellent drainage. This high-altitude, limestone-rich site is considered one of the most prestigious white wine terroirs in South America.