Bodega Catena Zapata : Adrianna "White Bones" Chardonnay 2024

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Adrianna "White Bones" Chardonnay 2024 by Bodega Catena Zapata

Tasting Notes

Appearance
Bright and clear, it reveals a beautiful pale yellow hue enhanced by delicate silvery highlights.

Nose
Intensely aromatic, the bouquet displays remarkable complexity, blending citrus notes such as mandarin with herbaceous touches of fennel and white tea. The whole is elevated by a profound minerality reminiscent of wet stone.

Palate
The attack is lively and remarkably precise, carried by finely etched acidity. The texture, both slender and slightly chalky, unfolds with a remarkable vertical minerality. The tasting closes on a vibrant, saline finish of exceptional length.

Food and Wine Pairing

This great white wine pairs beautifully with seafood and delicate fish, such as sea bass ceviche, roasted langoustines or seared scallops. It will also shine alongside white meats like roasted poultry with fresh herbs, or dishes based on white asparagus, elevated by a yuzu beurre blanc sauce.

Serving and Cellaring

To fully appreciate the complexity of the Adrianna "White Bones" Chardonnay 2024, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. With an excellent ageing potential estimated at 15 years, this vintage can be enjoyed until around 2039.

A High-Altitude Chardonnay of Exceptional Purity from Bodega Catena Zapata in Mendoza

The Estate

Founded in 1902 by Nicola Catena, Bodega Catena Zapata is a true institution located in Agrelo, Argentina. Now led by owner Nicolás Catena Zapata and his daughter Laura, the brand has established itself as a pioneer of high-altitude viticulture. Thanks to the extensive research conducted by the Catena Institute of Wine, the estate combines family tradition with a rigorous scientific approach. This pursuit of excellence reveals unique Andean terroirs, placing the estate among the world's leading references.

The Vineyard

This cuvée comes from a 2.2-hectare micro-plot within the Adrianna vineyard, in the Gualtallary sub-district of Tupungato, in the Mendoza region. Rising to nearly 1,450 metres in altitude, this extreme terroir enjoys a semi-desert climate with strong sunshine and cool nights. The alluvial soil is distinguished by its high limestone concentration and the unusual presence of animal fossils, which give the wine both its name and its distinctive aromatic profile.

The Vintage

2024 stood out for its particularly mild climatic conditions, sparing the vines from any extreme heat spikes. This favourable weather allowed for a later harvest than usual. The growing cycle thus benefited from a slow and gradual ripening of the berries, ensuring optimal grape health and perfect balance at harvest time.

Winemaking and Ageing

The making of the Adrianna "White Bones" Chardonnay 2024 relies on a minimal-intervention approach to preserve the purity of the fruit. Following fermentation with indigenous yeasts, the process unfolds slowly over a period of 45 to 95 days on the lees. The wine is then aged for 12 to 16 months in French oak barrels that have already held two to four wines, avoiding the aromatic influence of new oak. Finally, the cuvée is bottled without fining or filtration.

Grape Variety

This wine is made from 100% Chardonnay.