2014 White Stones Chardonnay

White Stones Chardonnay comes from a select 27 rows within Block 1 of the Adrianna Vineyard at 1,400 m in the Gualtallary subregion of Tupungato. The name refers to the ground beneath the vines which is covered with gravel – oval white stones. Alluvial stony soil. TA 9 g/l, pH 3. Fermented in French oak with ambient yeasts and aged in used French oak.  Pale gold, just very slightly darker than the White Bones. There is also a slight minty note here but less intense than on the White Bones. Here there is also riper fruit on the nose – citrus and stone fruit and even yellow plum but also a definite rocky minerality. Smells chalky. Although the acidity is just as high as on the White Bones, here the riper fruit seems to tone down the acidity a little. Firmer texture, more concentrated and just a little less austere. Great length and harmony and just a touch more fruit intensity and weight on the mouth. (JH)