Adrianna White Bones 2023

From the mythical Adrianna vineyard, located in Gualtallary in the high Uco Valley, this wine is born at the foot of the Andes Mountains, in the province of Mendoza, Argentina. Planted at approximately 1,450 meters above sea level, the vines benefit from a cool climate, wide temperature variations, and intense sunshine. The calcareous soils, rich in marine fossils and white stones, give the wine a distinct mineral identity. This extreme terroir, carefully cultivated by the Catena Zapata family, is considered one of Argentina's most prestigious.

Chardonnay grapes from the Adrianna vineyard are harvested manually in small crates, then carefully sorted before gentle whole-cluster pressing. The must ferments with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels, mostly used, with a varying proportion of new wood, at low temperatures and on lees, without full malolactic fermentation to preserve freshness. Aging continues in barrels for several months, with limited bâtonnage, before bottling at the estate.

This wine reveals notes of ripe citrus, stone fruit, and delicate tropical fruit, complemented by floral touches evoking orange blossom and honeysuckle. Chalky mineral nuances and subtle spicy accents, reminiscent of ginger and nutmeg, blend with very discreet oak. The palate shows a precise and taut texture, driven by vibrant acidity, controlled concentration, and a long saline finish.

Although Argentina is often considered part of the "New World," its winemaking tradition is much older than one might think, dating back to the Spanish colonization of the 16th century and later to Italian settlers. Unlike Chile, wine has long been an integral part of the country's culture. No other wine-producing country in the world made more progress in the latter years of the 20th century (in viticulture, oenology, and, of course, finance), which allowed the country's winemakers to raise quality levels and successfully establish an international export market. Argentina is now the fifth largest wine-producing country in the world, after France, Italy, Spain, and the United States. Viticulture is practiced primarily in the foothills of the Andes, particularly in Mendoza, where the desert landscapes and high altitudes combine to create aromatic and intensely flavorful wines. Some vineyards are even planted at altitudes of up to 3,000 meters! The terroir here is well-suited to the grape variety adopted by Argentina: the ubiquitous Malbec. Originally from Bordeaux, it is now the source of some of Argentina's most famous wines, characterized by their brilliance and intensity, with floral notes and dark fruit flavors. Other red varieties produced in Argentina include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bonarda, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Pinot Noir. Among white wines, the emblematic grape of the Argentine wine region is Torrontés, which yields a wine with a floral and tropical taste. The country also produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio. Today, Argentine wines are recognized worldwide for their full-bodied reds and as being of high quality.