2022 Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard 'Mundus Bacillus Terrae' Malbec
Catena Zapata
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Average Critic Score: 98.25/100
Named after Nicolas Catena Zapata's youngest daughter, the Adrianna Vineyard sits at almost 1,500 metres in Mendoza. This single-varietal Malbec comes from a 1.4 hectare parcel of limestone-rich alluvial soils planted in 1992, whose rhizobacteria give the wine its name, mundus bacillus terrae, or elegant microbes of the earth. Aged 15 to 18 months in French oak, the 2022 took 99 points from both Matthew Luczy at Wine Advocate and JamesSuckling.com.
Starting with a dramatic, exotic, multidimensional nose, it presents an array of paradoxes that characterize the world's most intriguing wines: depth coupled with lift and elegance matched with assertion, all underpinned by a quiet, understated intensity that flows from the nose to the finish. - Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate (99 pts)
Just 430 cases were produced. Laura Catena is director, with Alejandro Vigil as winemaker.
Critic Reviews
99 Points - Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate
“Among the exceptional trio of Malbec bottlings from Adrianna Vineyard, I found the 2022 Adrianna Vineyard Malbec Mundus Bacillus Terrae to be the most complete and captivating. Starting with a dramatic, exotic, multidimensional nose, it presents an array of paradoxes that characterize the world's most intriguing wines: depth coupled with lift and elegance matched with assertion, all underpinned by a quiet, understated intensity that flows from the nose to the finish. A sleek, rich and polished palate transitions into a grippy, ultra-refined finish featuring well-measured tannins and remarkable length. I eagerly anticipate how this wine will evolve, and I have no doubt its trajectory will span at least two decades.”
99 Points - Zekun Shuai, JamesSuckling.com
“Wet stone, iron, iodine and wet earth with a touch of white pepper and cocoa powder to the deep blue and black fruit. Brooding now, but super fresh. Full-bodied and broad on the palate with real tension, full of fresh, fine-grained tannins. Extremely long and fresh. Drink from 2028.”
98 Points - Colin Hay, The Drinks Business
“(Mendoza; 100% Malbec; from a tiny vineyard of 1.4 hectares at an altitude of 1390 metres on a limestone rich alluvial terroir; 13.5% alcohol; just 430 cases produced). A whiff of oak smoke. Unlit tobacco. Incense. Patchouli. Dark berry and stone fruits. Cracked black peppercorns. In the mouth, this is succulent, super-svelte, lithe, tense and charged. I love the whetstone minerality. Another vin de garde with considerable aging potential. Truly excellent and right up there with the best ever vintages of this wine.”
97 Points - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“Tasted last July, they have simply changed their release through the Place from September to March, and this tasting confirms a beautiful vintage of Adrianna, goes long of rose petals and spices, fragrant fennel and cracked white pepper. 1.4ha of limestone soils at 1,390m elevation, Laura Catena director, Alejandro Vigil winemaker. Fermentation in concrete with 50% whole cluster, followed by ageing in 75% French oak barrels, 25% in large oak casks.”
Wine Details & Information
Vintage: 2022
Varietal / Style: Malbec
Country: Argentina
Region: Valle de Uco, Mendoza
Bottle size (ml): 750ml
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