Catena Zapata Adrianna White Stones Chardonnay 2018 (750ML)

98+ WA / 98 JS / 97 DE / 95 VM

The outstanding 2018 White Stones Chardonnay epitomizes the expression of the grape in the cooler-climate and high-altitude location of the Adrianna vineyard in Gualtallary. There is rectitude, austerity and elegance, a subtle wine with great clout and intensity that comes through as chiseled, focused, symmetric and pure, more in the style of Roulot than Coche-Dury, with superb integration of all the elements and fine minerality. This is more about the place and vintage than the grape, which feels like a good way to transmit the chalky soils of the selected plots. Simply superb, possibly the finest vintage for this bottling so far. 6,600 bottles were filled in May 2019. Luis Gutierrez – The Wine Advocate

A very subtle yet intense White Stones on the nose with stone, bone, lemon-rind and dried-apple aromas that follow through to a full body that is very tight and closed, but shows a compact fruit structure of sliced mangoes and cooked apples. Vivid finish, turning to flamboyant minerality. In reserve still. Better in 2022. James Suckling

Nuanced and elegant, with fine notes of lavender and lemon balm and a wet-stone minerality. Mouthwatering acidity with layers of savoury, floral and fruit aromas that interplay in a long, lingering finish. Sophisticated. Drinking Window 2021 - 2030--Amanda Barnes, Decanter

The future of Chardonnay lies in high-altitude vineyards: a hypothesis proven by this wine, which is made with grapes from the Adrianna Vineyard, located 1,450 meters above sea level in stony soil with a layer of calcium carbonate, and aged in used French barrels for 12–16 months, 40% in flor. The results bring a tingle to your spine. Greenish-yellow in color. The nose offers notes of lime, acacia and orange blossom perfume along with arugula, curry and ginger aromas. On the palate, the fruit notes are restrained but full of flavor while the freshness takes charge, energizing the gums and tautening the tongue. A very persistent wine. - Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous Media