Catena Zapata, Adrianna Vineyard, White Bones Chardonnay 2021
Product Information
Country Argentina
Region Mendoza
Grape Variety Chardonnay
Vintage 2021
ABV 12.7%
Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard White Bones Chardonnay 2021
The Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard White Bones Chardonnay 2021 is a benchmark Argentinian white wine from one of Mendoza’s most prestigious high-altitude vineyards. Sourced from the Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary, this cuvée is renowned for its striking minerality, precision, and Burgundian elegance.
The 2021 vintage delivers a refined expression of Chardonnay, shaped by cooler growing conditions that enhance freshness, acidity, and aromatic complexity. Layers of citrus, white peach, and crushed stone are balanced by subtle oak integration and a long, focused finish.
This is a world-class Chardonnay with excellent ageing potential, ideal for collectors and enthusiasts seeking one of Argentina’s most iconic white wines.
About the 2021 Vintage
The 2021 growing season in Mendoza was characterised by cooler temperatures and a longer ripening period, resulting in wines with exceptional balance and finesse. Compared to warmer vintages, the 2021 White Bones Chardonnay shows greater tension, vibrant acidity, and a more linear profile.
These conditions allowed for precise flavour development while preserving natural freshness, making this vintage particularly appealing for those who favour elegance and structure over richness. Compared to the 2022 vintage, the 2021 offers a more restrained and mineral-driven style.
Critics’ Scores & Professional Reviews
Top International Ratings for 2021
• James Suckling: 99/100 — Exotic, perfumed, elegant nose with thyme, green papaya, ginger and curry; transparent and long.
• Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: 98+ RP — Blended from different ripeness points; seamless, mineral and chalky texture; a brilliant expression of variety and soil.
• Vinous: 98/100 — Lean, focused character with electric saline energy and complex herbal nuances.
• Wine Spectator: 95/100 — Layered and distinctive with pineapple sage, ginger and wet stone detail.
• Wine Enthusiast: 98–100 indicating Classic quality — A balanced and sophisticated wine with mineral texture and long finish.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Pale golden hue with green highlights, visually crisp and luminous.
Aroma: Aromatic layers of white flowers, citrus peel, rosemary, sage, and hints of lavender, rockrose and incense fill the bouquet.
Palate: Complex yet refined, vibrant citrus and stone fruit integrate with elegant mineral tension and a chalky texture that lingers. Notes of pear, green apple, herbaceous spice, and saline detail create a wine of finesse.
Finish: Long and refreshing, with a persistent line of mineral intensity that echoes the altitude and soil.
Food Pairings
Complements a range of dishes:
• Grilled or butter-poached lobster and scallops
• Sea bass ceviche or citrus-tossed shellfish
• Creamy poultry dishes like roast chicken with tarragon
• Soft cheeses (Brie, triple crème)
• Salads with lemon-yogurt dressing
For adventurous pairing, try aromatic Middle Eastern mezze, the wine’s herbal complexity stands up well to bold flavours.
Ageing Potential
This wine is drinkable now but shows excellent longevity, cellar well through 2031 for evolving depth and richness.
Discover our range of Catena Zapata wines.
Read our Blog on Catena Zapata wines.
Discover another vintage of this wine: White Bones Chardonnay 2022
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What makes White Bones Chardonnay different from White Stones?
A. White Bones comes from rows with fossilised bone-rich calcareous soils, yielding softer acidity and richer mineral character, while White Stones is known for sharper citrus and more pronounced saline tension due to different soil composition.
Q. Is this wine suitable for ageing?
A. Yes, bottle development enhances complexity. Ideal drinking window: 2026–2031.
Q. Does this Chardonnay use new oak?
A. No, aged in used French oak to preserve purity and let terroir shine.
Q. What food goes best with this wine?
A. Seafood, poultry with cream sauces, complex salads and creamy cheeses balance the acidity and aromatics.
