Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard White Stones Chardonnay 2012
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This wine pairs well with a variety of more full-flavored fish dishes especially shellfish like shrimp, crab, and lobster. For a special meal try this elegant Chardonnay with Grilled Langoustines with Beurre Blanc.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The remarkable 2012 Catena Zapata White Stones Chardonnay—White Stones refers to a sector of 27 rows that is covered with oval white stones and was the site of an ancient stream bed. This wine displays amazing and enticing flavors of ripe peach skin, tongue-tantalizing mineral and perfumed flowers. This wine has everything Chardonnays aficionados love. Drinks youthful now—a half dozen years would make it even more incredible. (Tasted: September 7, 2016, San Francisco, CA USA)
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James Suckling
A wonderful white with mineral, sliced apple and light honey character. Full-bodied, balanced and beautiful. This is fermented in used 600 liter barrels for seven months, and another six months in cask.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 White Stones Chardonnay is also sourced from the Adrianna vineyard in Gualtallary. The grapes were harvested at five different points in time, and the wine is an outstanding blending exercise. There is more ripeness here and more balsamic aromas, even a minty note that is a little exotic. Despite the ripeness of the vintage the palate is more austere, linear and very tasty. 1,600 bottles produced.
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Wine Spectator
Tightly wound, this has plenty of engaging minty notes to the white cherry and dried raspberry flavors. Cream and spice details show on the minerally finish. A distinctive style that needs some time in the bottle. Best from 2017 through 2021.
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Bodega Catena Zapata is one of Argentina's high altitude Malbec pioneers. The Catena family began making wine in Mendoza in 1902. Nicolas Catena, third generation family vintner, was one of the first to see the potential of Mendoza's mountain vineyards for producing high quality Malbec. In 1994, he became the first Argentine to exprot a world-class bottling of Malbec under the Catena label. Nicolas is joined by his daughter, Dr. Laura Catena, in their relentless pursuit of world-class quality from the family's high altitude vineyards. Laura has done extensive work in introducing Malbec and other varietal plant selections, soil and climate analysis, and sustainable practices throughout Mendoza. Head winemaker, Alejandro Vigil, has been at Catena Zapata since 2002 and works with Laura and Nicolas to make wines that express the family's vineyards and palate.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.