Catena Zapata

2023 Catena Zapata Adrianna White Bones Chardonnay | 99 Points James Suckling | Mendoza

Name: 2023 Catena Zapata Adrianna White Bones Chardonnay | 99 Points James Suckling | Mendoza
Brand: Catena Zapata
Price: 223.00 AUD
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🏆 99 Points | Fossilised Animal Bones, Wild Mountain Herbs & Chardonnay from Almost 1,400 Metres Above Sea Level!

99 Points James Suckling | 98 Points Vinous | 97 Points The Wine Advocate | 97 Points Jeb Dunnuck

One of the World's Most Extraordinary Chardonnays – From Argentina's Legendary Adrianna Vineyard!

2023 Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard White Bones Chardonnay

Gualtallary, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

RRP $223

What happens when one of the world's most visionary wine families plants Chardonnay high in the Andes, in soils containing fossilised animal bones, and then ages part of the wine beneath a veil of flor yeast?

You get one of the most extraordinary Chardonnays on the planet!

And believe me, this is a wine that every serious Chardonnay lover needs to know about.

2023 Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard White Bones Chardonnay.

This isn't your typical Chardonnay.

Far from it.

This is a wine of extraordinary precision, almost electric acidity, remarkable saline minerality and an aromatic personality unlike just about anything else in the world.

And look at these scores!

99 POINTS – JAMES SUCKLING!

98 POINTS – VINOUS!

97 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE!

97 POINTS – JEB DUNNUCK!

Four of the world's most respected wine publications.

Four extraordinary scores.

And a wine that has become one of the great benchmarks for high-altitude Chardonnay.

But the most fascinating part?

The vineyard soil actually contains fossilised animal bones.

And the winemaking involves a technique more commonly associated with some of the great wines of Jerez in Spain.

This is exactly the sort of wine that gets me excited at Liquid Vibe!

Catena Zapata – The Family That Changed Argentine Wine

To understand White Bones, you first need to understand the Catena family.

The family's winemaking history in Argentina stretches back to 1902, when Nicola Catena planted his first vineyard in Mendoza.

But it was his grandson, Nicolás Catena Zapata, who transformed the family's reputation.

Nicolás had a remarkable vision.

He believed Argentina could produce wines capable of competing with the finest in the world.

Not simply inexpensive, generous reds.

But genuinely world-class wines with precision, complexity and ageing potential.

And he believed altitude was one of the keys.

At a time when many considered the upper reaches of the Uco Valley too cold for serious viticulture, Nicolás began exploring vineyards at elevations previously regarded as unsuitable.

The results would help transform the international reputation of Argentine wine.

His daughter, Dr Laura Catena, subsequently played a pivotal role in advancing the family's scientific understanding of vineyards, soils and climate.

And the Adrianna Vineyard became the centrepiece of that research.

Adrianna Vineyard – The Grand Cru of South America?

Here's where the story becomes extraordinary.

The Adrianna Vineyard is located in Gualtallary, in the Tupungato district of Mendoza's Uco Valley.

The vines grow at approximately 1,395 metres above sea level.

That's more than four times the elevation of many famous vineyards in Burgundy.

And the growing conditions are completely different.

Intense mountain sunlight.

Very cool nights.

Large day-to-night temperature differences.

Rocky, nutrient-poor soils.

And a growing season that allows fruit to develop flavour while preserving remarkable natural acidity.

At this altitude, Chardonnay can achieve an extraordinary balance.

Beautiful concentration.

Delicate aromatic complexity.

And the kind of acidity that gives the wine its almost electric energy.

The Adrianna Vineyard has become one of Argentina's most celebrated vineyard sites.

And White Bones is one of its most remarkable wines.

Why Is It Called White Bones?

This is one of the most fascinating stories in modern Chardonnay.

White Bones comes from selected rows in Block 1 of the Adrianna Vineyard.

And the name refers to the vineyard's extraordinary geology.

The soils contain fossilised animal bones, deposited in sediments associated with an ancient river system.

Imagine that.

You're standing in a vineyard high in the Andes.

And beneath your feet are geological traces of animals that lived long before the vineyard existed.

The soils also contain significant calcium carbonate.

They're rocky, relatively poor in organic matter and well drained.

These conditions influence how the vines grow, how water is available to their roots and how the fruit develops.

The result is Chardonnay with remarkable concentration, vibrant acidity and an unusually saline, herbal personality.

Of course, the mineral character in wine isn't simply fossilised material dissolving into grapes.

But the vineyard's geology, altitude, climate and biology all contribute to the growing conditions that make White Bones so distinctive.

This is a Chardonnay with an extraordinary sense of place.

Here's Something Even More Fascinating – The Wine Is Aged Under Flor!

Now this is something that makes White Bones genuinely different.

Part of the wine's maturation involves biological ageing beneath a veil of flor yeast.

If you've explored the great wines of Jerez in Spain, particularly Fino and Manzanilla Sherry, you'll be familiar with flor.

Flor is a layer of yeast that can develop on the surface of wine under suitable conditions.

It can influence the wine's aromatic and savoury character during maturation.

And in White Bones, this technique helps develop a fascinating combination of herbal complexity, saline character and textural detail.

Think about that for a moment.

A Chardonnay grown at nearly 1,400 metres in the Andes.

In soils containing fossilised animal bones.

Then matured partly under flor.

It's an extraordinary combination of vineyard and winemaking influences.

And it helps explain why White Bones tastes so different from conventional Chardonnay.

This isn't Chardonnay built around obvious oak, butter or tropical fruit.

It's a wine of wild herbs, citrus, saline tension and extraordinary mineral precision.

The 2023 Vintage – An Extraordinary Expression of White Bones

The 2023 release is particularly impressive.

The wine is made entirely from Chardonnay grown in selected rows of the Adrianna Vineyard.

Its technical profile is fascinating.

100% Chardonnay.

Approximately 1,395 metres above sea level.

Calcareous, sandy and stony soils.

French oak maturation.

Biological ageing under flor.

13% alcohol, according to the producer's distributor.

And an extraordinarily low pH of approximately 3.15, accompanied by high natural acidity.

These figures help explain the wine's remarkable freshness and precision.

It's a Chardonnay with concentration and texture.

But also tremendous energy.

Tasting Notes – Lime, Wild Herbs, Ginger and Extraordinary Saline Minerality

This is where White Bones becomes genuinely fascinating.

Forget the idea that great Chardonnay must be dominated by peach, butter and toasted oak.

The 2023 White Bones is something completely different.

The aromatics reveal:

Fresh lime and lime zest
Green ginger
Chamomile
Wild mountain herbs
Dill and mint
Green apple
Citrus blossom
Crushed stone
Delicate savoury spice
Subtle nutty complexity

The palate is absolutely extraordinary.

There's remarkable citrus purity.

Lime.

Lemon.

Green apple.

But the wine's real personality comes from its structure.

The acidity is electric.

The mineral tension is remarkable.

And there's an almost savoury saline character running through the wine.

Fine chalky grip adds definition.

A gentle creamy texture provides balance.

And the finish is incredibly long.

What I particularly love is the contrast.

The wine has richness.

But it never feels heavy.

It has complexity.

But remains incredibly precise.

And the combination of wild herbs, citrus and salinity makes it unlike almost any other Chardonnay.

Lime. Green ginger. Wild herbs. Chamomile. Crushed stone. Saline minerality. Electric acidity.

This is a Chardonnay for people who want to explore the absolute limits of what the variety can achieve.

99 Points – James Suckling

The 2023 White Bones received an extraordinary:

99 POINTS – JAMES SUCKLING!

The review highlights the wine's remarkable combination of dill, lime, green ginger and crushed-stone aromatics.

But it's the palate that really stands out.

Extraordinary mineral tension.

Intense salinity.

Beautifully focused acidity.

And an almost severe precision that distinguishes it from richer, more conventional Chardonnay styles.

The wine is described as exceptionally fresh, mouth-watering and spectacular.

99 points for one of the world's most distinctive Chardonnays!

98 Points – Vinous

Joaquín Hidalgo awarded the wine:

98 POINTS – VINOUS!

His assessment highlights one of White Bones' most fascinating characteristics.

Its unusual herbal perfume.

Huacatay, a South American aromatic herb.

Chamomile.

Hops.

Green apple.

Mint.

And subtle nutty complexity.

The palate is leaner and more vibrant than some previous vintages, with beautiful chalky grip and fine mineral precision.

And here's another remarkable achievement.

The 2023 White Bones was ranked No. 14 in Vinous's Top 100 Wines of 2025.

That's an extraordinary endorsement of the quality of this wine.

97 Points – The Wine Advocate

Matthew Luczy awarded:

97 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE!

His review highlights the wine's lifted aromas of citrus rind, dried spice, white flowers and fresh herbs.

The biological ageing under flor contributes additional complexity.

And the palate combines remarkable precision with a gently creamy core.

The finish is intensely mineral, mouth-watering and beautifully persistent.

It's a fascinating example of how Chardonnay can combine richness and restraint.

97 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

And Jeb Dunnuck awarded:

97 POINTS!

His review emphasises the wine's extraordinary ageing potential.

The 2023 release combines native thyme, lemon and beautifully integrated oak with a fresh, structured palate.

And here's the remarkable part.

His suggested drinking window extends from 2030 to 2040.

That's an indication of just how serious this Chardonnay is.

A wine with the potential to develop over many years.

And one that deserves consideration for the cellar.

White Bones vs White Stones – Two Extraordinary Chardonnays

Here's something serious Chardonnay lovers will find fascinating.

Catena Zapata produces two extraordinary Chardonnays from the Adrianna Vineyard.

White Bones.

And White Stones.

They come from different selections of rows within the same remarkable vineyard.

But their soil characteristics and wine personalities are quite distinct.

White Bones is celebrated for its fossil-rich calcareous soils and its extraordinary herbal, floral and saline complexity.

White Stones comes from rows characterised by conspicuous pale stones and is known for its precise, focused mineral expression.

Two Chardonnays.

One extraordinary high-altitude vineyard.

Two fascinating interpretations of terroir.

For anyone interested in the relationship between soil, climate and wine, tasting them side by side is a remarkable experience.

One of the World's Most Studied Vineyards

Here's another detail that makes Adrianna extraordinary.

The Catena Institute of Wine has conducted extensive research into the vineyard's soils, biodiversity and growing conditions.

The institute reports publishing numerous peer-reviewed scientific papers investigating subjects such as soil microorganisms, pollinators, birds and native vegetation.

The vineyard also incorporates biodiversity initiatives and environmental monitoring.

This is more than a famous vineyard.

It's a site where scientific research and fine-wine production work together.

And that makes the Adrianna story particularly compelling.

For Lovers of Great White Burgundy

If you love the mineral precision and ageing potential of great white Burgundy, White Bones deserves your attention.

But don't expect a conventional Burgundian imitation.

This wine has its own extraordinary identity.

It's more overtly herbal than many classic white Burgundies.

The salinity is remarkable.

The acidity is electric.

And the influence of biological ageing introduces another dimension of savoury complexity.

It's a Chardonnay that challenges expectations.

And that's exactly what makes it so exciting.

Cellaring Potential

This is a genuinely cellar-worthy Chardonnay.

The combination of concentrated fruit, high natural acidity and structural precision provides excellent ageing potential.

The Wine Advocate suggests drinking through 2038.

Jeb Dunnuck recommends 2030–2040.

I'd happily open a bottle now to appreciate its extraordinary youthful freshness.

But I'd also be very tempted to put some away.

Over time, the citrus and herbal characters should evolve towards deeper savoury, nutty and complex tertiary notes.

And the wine's remarkable acidity should help preserve its energy.

Suggested drinking window: 2026–2040, depending on personal preference and storage.

Food Pairings

This is a magnificent wine for food.

I'd recommend:

Freshly shucked oysters
Scallop crudo
King George whiting
Grilled rock lobster
Ceviche with lime
Roast chicken with tarragon
Grilled snapper
Fresh goat's cheese
Comté

Personally, I'd love this with freshly shucked oysters or beautifully prepared scallop crudo.

The wine's extraordinary salinity and citrus precision would be absolutely sensational.

Why We Love It at Liquid Vibe

Because this is one of the most fascinating Chardonnays in the world.

A visionary wine family.

A legendary high-altitude vineyard.

Fossilised animal bones in the soil.

Remarkable limestone-rich geology.

Biological ageing under flor.

Extraordinary herbal complexity.

Electric acidity.

And four sensational critic scores.

Look at what you're getting.

2023 Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard White Bones Chardonnay

Gualtallary, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Approximately 1,395 Metres Above Sea Level

Selected Rows in Block 1 of the Adrianna Vineyard

Fossil-Rich Calcareous Soils

Biological Ageing Under Flor

100% Chardonnay

99 Points – James Suckling

98 Points – Vinous

97 Points – The Wine Advocate

97 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

No. 14 – Vinous Top 100 Wines of 2025

RRP $223

This is serious Chardonnay.

A wine with extraordinary personality, incredible precision and remarkable ageing potential.

And a fascinating example of why the world's greatest Chardonnays are no longer confined to Burgundy.