2020 Catena Zapata White Bones Chardonnay Adrianna Vineyard

The nose of the 2020 White Bones Chardonnay is an explosion of thyme and rockrose, aromatic, open, expressive, outspoken, showy and exuberant. It also has notes of white flowers and citrus, pine needles and incense, continuously developing new layers, curry, something smoky, more and more aromatic herbs, nuanced, complex and with a magnetic attraction that makes you go back to the glass over and over again. This was harvested all at the same time, whereas it was sometimes harvested over four different moments in the past; so this is a bit different and an extraordinary year for this wine, transcending the conditions of the year, with lower alcohol and pH (12.5% and 3.1) than the 2021, despite coming from a warmer year. This is very tasty and long, stony (more than White Stones!) and very persistent. Amazing juice! 5,760 bottles produced. I had the chance to do a mini-vertical of 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020 together, and the wines are aging slowly; the 2010 is right now at a sweet-spot moment for current drinking. The 2014 was the weakest of the flight, 2016 was the sharpest and the 2020 is surprisingly fresh for the vintage. White Bones and Fortuna Terrae behave very well in warmer years. These whites all have a common profile; they're very aromatic with lots of thyme, sage and lemongrass aromas, wild, herbal and exotic.

The 2020 Chardonnay Adrianna Vineyard White Bones from Gualtallary was aged for 16 months in used barrels. Green in the glass. The complex nose presents notes of ginger initially followed by hints of mint, green apple and iodine. The aging process helps to bring out the grape’s flavors. In the mouth, it’s compact with a taut, saline flow, creamy feel and finish in which the flor leaves a dry, cleansing sensation. An enticing wine. (JH)

In the Gualtallary sub-district of Tupungato. 4,500 ft in elevation. Hand-picked, pressed and cold settled at 6 °C. Fermented in French oak for 45–95 days at 16 °C. Partial malolactic. Aged 12–16 months in second-, third- and fourth-use French barrels. TA 8.25 g/l, pH 3.1. Pale lemon-green in colour. Stony and minerally. Lemon, green apple, subtle white pepper, water cracker and cream. Light-bodied, lean in texture, really refreshing acidity and light, well-integrated oak. Nicely done. (SCJ)