Bodega Catena Zapata
White Stones Adrianna Vineyard Chardonnay
Mendoza, Cuyo, Argentina
I joined this white wine blind tasting session for a taste of the illustrious Chard duo from Catena Zapeta, despite knowing full well that white wine condition in my area has a pretty lacklustre record; and I’m pretty glad I did. The White Stones, thankfully, was [mostly] singing. Yes, there was a touch of honey and musk in the back end, but I felt it didn’t distract from the general message. Perhaps the reticent winemaking style here helped give it a little more resilience against the arduous travel. On the nose, there was nearly no fruit at the start - just sulphurous, flinty aromas. It does eventually yield to heavy swirling in the glass, revealing some pear and nutty notes. The palate was textural, sharp, and mineral. In fact the name could not be more apt. It was like licking stones, all covered in salt, lime juice and chopped sage. I really enjoyed it, but the wine that could have been still lingered on the back of my mind. One to revisit for sure.
I joined this white wine blind tasting session for a taste of the illustrious Chard duo from Catena Zapeta, despite knowing full well that white wine condition in my area has a pretty lacklustre record; and I’m pretty glad I did. The White Stones, thankfully, was [mostly] singing. Yes, there was a touch of honey and musk in the back end, but I felt it didn’t distract from the general message. Perhaps the reticent winemaking style here helped give it a little more resilience against the arduous travel. On the nose, there was nearly no fruit at the start - just sulphurous, flinty aromas. It does eventually yield to heavy swirling in the glass, revealing some pear and nutty notes. The palate was textural, sharp, and mineral. In fact the name could not be more apt. It was like licking stones, all covered in salt, lime juice and chopped sage. I really enjoyed it, but the wine that could have been still lingered on the back of my mind. One to revisit for sure.
May 24th, 2024
Arguably the best white of Argentina! It is that good. Pure lemon/orange oil, even showing some menthol, great acidity and mouthfeel, long finish. This can age very well!
Arguably the best white of Argentina! It is that good. Pure lemon/orange oil, even showing some menthol, great acidity and mouthfeel, long finish. This can age very well!
May 31st, 2020
(from vines at an altitude of about 4,800 feet, on soil rich in white stones and gravel): Bright, light greenish-yellow. The ineffable nose offers a wonderfully complex blend of white fruits, flowers and minerals. Dry, tight and light on its feet, with its pear, mineral and baking spice flavors a bit compressed in the early going. A distinctly vertical wine but also quite deep. Finishes very firm and long, with terrific salty pungency and slowly building lift. This needs more time in bottle to expand, like so many of the best wines from the 2016 vintage. (Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, July 2018)
(from vines at an altitude of about 4,800 feet, on soil rich in white stones and gravel): Bright, light greenish-yellow. The ineffable nose offers a wonderfully complex blend of white fruits, flowers and minerals. Dry, tight and light on its feet, with its pear, mineral and baking spice flavors a bit compressed in the early going. A distinctly vertical wine but also quite deep. Finishes very firm and long, with terrific salty pungency and slowly building lift. This needs more time in bottle to expand, like so many of the best wines from the 2016 vintage. (Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, July 2018)
Excellent example of Chardonnay. High altitude well maintained acid, lemon/limes, lemon curd, slight tropical.
Excellent example of Chardonnay. High altitude well maintained acid, lemon/limes, lemon curd, slight tropical.
Jun 3rd, 2018
Jamon iberco. Funk filled, lacking depth.
Jamon iberco. Funk filled, lacking depth.
Aug 15th, 2016
Good, can be great, a bit redolent at this time. A touch riper would add a little more depth and complexity as this right now is all lean orchard fruits and minerals and short on the finish.
Good, can be great, a bit redolent at this time. A touch riper would add a little more depth and complexity as this right now is all lean orchard fruits and minerals and short on the finish.
Jun 24th, 2015An iconoclastic offering from Catena. Oodles of nuance with lemon curd, a touch of mint leaf and minerality on par with a fine Chablis.
An iconoclastic offering from Catena. Oodles of nuance with lemon curd, a touch of mint leaf and minerality on par with a fine Chablis.
Dec 21st, 2014This is the newest thing from catena these stones came down from the mountains 50,000 years ago this soils cacium carbonate making them white. These are white wines to be aged probably the first to be made on the white varietals to be aged. High altitude cool climate
This is the newest thing from catena these stones came down from the mountains 50,000 years ago this soils cacium carbonate making them white. These are white wines to be aged probably the first to be made on the white varietals to be aged. High altitude cool climate
Oct 9th, 2014
Clear, star bright and medium yellow, medium concentration and medium viscosity.
Clean, medium minus intensity aromas of peach, white apricot, mango, melon, corn and buttery, Mineral of stony.
Dry, medium body and medium plus alcohol, medium minus acidity and medium plus finish and medium plus complexity. This wine is elegance and plenty of aromas, very fine. $$488
Clear, star bright and medium yellow, medium concentration and medium viscosity.
Clean, medium minus intensity aromas of peach, white apricot, mango, melon, corn and buttery, Mineral of stony.
Dry, medium body and medium plus alcohol, medium minus acidity and medium plus finish and medium plus complexity. This wine is elegance and plenty of aromas, very fine. $$488