Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard White Bones Chardonnay 2011
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The 2011 Catena Zapata White Bones Chardonnay has a bright lemon yellow color in the glass. The nose shows an excellent melange of citrus and white fruit notes with vanilla. The mouthfeel is rich and concentrated, showing ripe pear, apple and apricot flavors with salty notes. The finish shows bright, clean acidity and wonderful length.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2011 White Bones Chardonnay is much cooler that any previous vintage of this wine, and the grapes were harvested very early. The nose reminded me of a hypothetical blend of a Chablis from Raveneau and a Chassagne from Ramonet with the mineral austerity and balsamic notes. But the nose is yet to be developed. The palate gives more of an idea of where the wine might go in the future since the salty minerality, the acidity and the length are truly remarkable. In 2011 the White Stones might have challenged the hegemony of the White Bones. Time will tell, but for now... I bet on the Bones. Outstanding!! 2,500 bottles produced.
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Wine Enthusiast
Dusty, oaky nectarine and apricot aromas are smooth and clean. This is full in body, with a layered stone-fruit-driven palate that’s showing good body and bright acidity. Flavors of nectarine and peach are lightly toasted and bring a note of vanilla, while the finish is round and mellow. Drink now.
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Bodega Catena Zapata is one of Argentina's high altitude Malbec pioneers. The Catena family began making wine in Mendoza in 1902. Nicolas Catena, third generation family vintner, was one of the first to see the potential of Mendoza's mountain vineyards for producing high quality Malbec. In 1994, he became the first Argentine to exprot a world-class bottling of Malbec under the Catena label. Nicolas is joined by his daughter, Dr. Laura Catena, in their relentless pursuit of world-class quality from the family's high altitude vineyards. Laura has done extensive work in introducing Malbec and other varietal plant selections, soil and climate analysis, and sustainable practices throughout Mendoza. Head winemaker, Alejandro Vigil, has been at Catena Zapata since 2002 and works with Laura and Nicolas to make wines that express the family's vineyards and palate.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
With vineyards tretching along the eastern side of the Andes Mountains from Patagonia in the south to Salta in the north, Argentina is one of the world’s largest and most dynamic wine producing countries—and most important in South America.
Since the late 20th century vineyard investments, improved winery technology and a commitment to innovation have all contributed to the country’s burgeoning image as a producer of great wines at all price points. The climate here is diverse but generally continental and agreeable, with hot, dry summers and cold snowy winters—a positive, as snow melt from the Andes Mountains is used heavily to irrigate vineyards. Grapes very rarely have any difficulty achieving full ripeness.
Argentina’s famous Mendoza region, responsible for more than 70% of Argentina’s wine production, is further divided into several sub-regions, with Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley most noteworthy. Red wines dominate here, especially Malbec, the country’s star variety, while Chardonnay is the most successful white.
The province of San Juan is best known for blends of Bonarda and Syrah. Torrontés is a specialty of the La Rioja and Salta regions, the latter of which is also responsible for excellent Malbecs grown at very high elevation.