Bodega Catena Zapata - Adrianna Vineyard 'River' Malbec 2021

In 1902, Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant, planted his first vineyard in Mendoza, Argentina. The winery has remained under family control — now in its fourth generation — and is one of the few family-owned wine companies in Argentina that remains in Argentine hands.

Dr. Nicolás Catena Zapata revolutionized Argentine wine in the 1980s by exploring extreme high-altitude terroirs in the Andean foothills of Mendoza. He discovered their potential for producing wines—Malbec in particular—that could stand with the best in the world. In the mid-1990s, Nicolás was joined by his daughter, Dr. Laura Catena.

Today, the Catena Family holds more 100-point wine ratings than any other winery in South America and has received numerous “best winery” awards from wine publications worldwide. Catena is certified Sustainable by Bodegas de Argentina and conducts extensive research on soil, terroir, and ancient clones.

Mendoza is Argentina’s largest and most well-known winemaking region. About 80 percent of Argentina’s wine is produced in Mendoza, which contains more vineyard acreage than the regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Napa Valley combined.

Since the 1980s, Mendoza has become a leader in producing outstanding wines, largely thanks to economist and winemaker Nicolás Catena. He spearheaded the push for investment and research to improve Argentine wine quality and helped establish Malbec as Argentina’s signature grape. It was initially used as a blending grape in southwest France and was prominent in Bordeaux blends prior to the nineteenth-century phylloxera epidemic. It was primarily replaced with replantings of Merlot in Bordeaux and found its true home in Mendoza.

Alejandro Vigil has Master’s Degrees in both Winemaking and Irrigation Management from Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. He began his professional career at the National Agricultural Technology Institute, taking over the Soil Analysis Department at 28 years old. Alejandro has been Chief Winemaker of Bodega Catena Zapata since 2002, receiving the first 100-point score awarded to a South American wine by Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate and the first 100-point score for an Argentine Chardonnay from James Suckling. He has been recognized as Winemaker of the Year by Tim Atkin and is president of Wines of Argentina.

This wine goes through an extensive cold maceration (50% whole cluster) of 5-10 days at less than 50ºF (10ºC) to extract aromas. The juice is then fermented for around 12-22 days with a total maceration of approximately 10-15 days. Elevage: 18-21 months in French Oak. 1- and 2-year-old barrels.

"There is an usual stony austerity in the 2021 Adrianna Vineyard River, cropped from a cold year when the full clusters fermented in concrete with a slightly shorter maceration and an élevage in a 2,000-liter oak foudre and the rest in stainless steel.It has a moderate 13.4% alcohol with very high acidity (8.2!) and a low pH (3.37), incredible parameters of freshness. The wine was closed and took time to take off in the glass, revealing a very elegant and subtle personality,with the silky texture of the very fine tannins,pristine aromas and flavors and a sense of harmony that was moving.It's powerful but extremely elegant in that rare combination of clout and energy,a wine of light,aerial,with some ethereal qualities,delicate and refined.This combines the cool place and high altitude,the cool year and the stony soils,to deliver a stunning Malbec that goes well beyond the variety.Bravo!” - 100 Points, Wine Advocate

“The 2021 Malbec Adrianna Vineyard River originates from a small stony plot nestled in an ancient riverbed in Gualtallary, Uco Valley, situated at an elevation of 1,400 meters. It was carefully aged for up to 16 months in foudres and concrete vats. It displays a purple hue with a bright sheen. The nose offers enticing notes of sage and arugula, complemented by chamomile, lavender and huacatay, layered over a base of rosehip and crushed plums. This Malbec exhibits a dry and lean profile reminiscent of Pinot Noir, showcasing a nervous and taut sensation with a silky texture. The refreshing notes and juicy flow linger, creating a harmonious experience. This red wine combines precise harvesting timing with a beautiful 2021 vintage to accentuate its primary profile.” - 98 Points, Vinous

“As its name suggests, this superb Malbec comes from a vineyard planted on limestone-rich soils in an old river bed. The most complete and well balanced of the Adrianna Vineyard reds, it’s a concrete, foudre and old barrel-aged delight with mountain herb top notes, serious grip and concentration, mouth-watering minerality and plum, fennel and blackberry flavours.” - 97 Points, Tim Atkin

Producer: Bodega Catena Zapata

Country: Argentina

Region: Mendoza

Varietal: Malbec

Appellation: Gualtallary

Vintage: 2021

Size: 750ml