Catena Zapata - Adrianna Vineyard White Bones Chardonnay 2016

Decanter Magazine

Tim Atkin

Patricio Tapia - Descorchados

White Bones is a selection of rows planted on the chalky soils of the Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary, one of the first to put down roots in what is now a very fashionable Uco Valley zone. Winemaker Alejandro Vigil likes to use flor to enhance the complexity of his whites, and in this case, 80% of the wine was aged under flor for about 10 months, which lends it more complex aromas and especially salinity, which projects powerfully across the palate. The acidity may also add to that saline sensation, because it’s firm and razor sharp.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The slow ripening provided the 2016 White Bones Chardonnay with a little more structure while retaining very high acidity. The vines, at 1,500 meters in altitude, are planted on limestone-rich soils and didn't need watering in 2016, as it rained a lot more than usual and allowed for a more natural balanced crop. This has 13.1% alcohol and an amazing eight grams of acidity measured in tartaric acid. It's a lot more serious, like an austere version of the 2015, with the balsamic and floral aromas more in the background. It has a sharper palate, with pungent flavors and superb delineation and purity. This is precise like a laser cut, mineral, salty and veeeery serious and compact. Superb! 4,800 bottles were filled in July 2017.

I tasted a very large collection of wines from Catena Zapata. All of these wines are highly recommendable, but the wines from the Adrianna Vineyard range are truly gobsmacking good and world class. I had the chance to taste slowly through three vintages of the three reds and two of the whites, and it made a fascinating comparison. The profile is austere and mineral, and sometimes they take time to open up. They are, of course, very young wines destined for a long life in bottle. The quality is extremely high, and it's a matter of preference as to which plot or vintage style you like best. 2014 is austere and a bit herbal, 2015 showed a little riper and 2016 seems to be the most complete of the three, with super sharp, linear whites and austere reds for the long haul. The 2014s were released a while ago, the 2015s are arriving on the market right now and the 2016s will take about one more year to hit the shelves. I'm talking reds, as the whites should be released by December 2018.

James Suckling

A dense and bright chardonnay that shows incredible depth and freshness with dried pineapple, licorice, aniseed and lemongrass. Full-bodied, layered and very, very long. Linear and exciting. Goes on for minutes. Release in October 2018. Drink or hold.