2018 Catena Zapata Adrianna River Stones Malbec

100 JS / 99 WA

$179.89/bottle (ETA 30 Days) Buy Now

This is really something. There’s purity and focus to the aromas of crushed berries, licorice and black tea, which follow through to an integrated palate of extremely fine, melted tannins that spread to the very ends of the wine. This is all about balance and length. It really is an emotional wine. Great follow-up to the 2017, which was also 100 points. Drinkable now, but better after 2024.—James Suckling

2019 Catena Zapata White Bones Chardonnay
99 JS / 98 WA / 96 VM

$119.89/bottle (ETA 30 Days) Buy Now 

The very minty 2019 White Bones Chardonnay comes from select rows within Block 1 of the Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary. The name refers to the soil underneath these rows, which is layered with calcareous deposits and limestone as well as fossilized animal bones—remnants of a river that used to pass through the region, closer to Los Cerrillos del Jaboncillo; it's an old soil in a new formation. 2019 is a cool vintage, and the wine is only 12.6% alcohol and has notable acidity (8.1 grams), and it always has a more extroverted personality than the more austere White Stones. It has tons of aromatic herbs, thyme, lavender, lemongrass, rockrose and balsamic with some curry (the wine had some aging under flor), and it has a vibrant palate where the acidity is effervescent and lively and the finish salty. It's vibrant and sharp, more in the style of a Chablis. Truly outstanding. This is a very recognizable wine. 6,000 bottles were filled in May 2020.—Luiz Gutierrez, The Wine Advocate

2019 Catena Zapata White Stones Chardonnay

99 WA / 97 JS / 95 VM

$119.89/bottle (ETA 30 Days) Buy Now 

The amazing 2019 White Stones Chardonnay comes from a select group of 27 rows planted on lot I of the Adriana Vineyard, and the  composition of those rows is soil with white oval stones covered by gravel. The Adriana Vineyard is planted at an altitude of almost 1,500 meters above sea level, in the district of Gualtallary in Tupungato. The stony soil prevents deep root growth, providing optimum drainage. This soil, which is very poor in organic matter, contributes to the vines' permanent stress conditions. The cool nights allow for very slow ripening, optimal acid retention and low yields.—Luiz Gutierrez, The Wine Advocate

2018 Catena Zapata Adrianna Mundus Bacilicus Terrae

98 WA / 98 JS / 97 VM  

$279.89/bottle (ETA 30 Days) Buy Now 

The 2018 Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae started with a marked creamy and lactic note, reflecting a very young and tender wine that started with a lot of malic acid. It has lower alcohol and higher acidity than the other two Adrianna bottlings; it's vibrant and lively, nicely textured and surprisingly fresh. The creamy and lactic note disappeared after some time in the glass, giving way to fresher notes, almost citrus. They have also done a selection of individual plants, discarding some plants in lower parts, and the wine has gained in precision and freshness. They used a high percentage of full clusters and fermented it in concrete with indigenous yeasts and matured it in used oak barrels for 18 months. In 2018, the three Adrianna bottlings have more defined character; the differences are more marked than in a year like 2017. This has to be among the finest vintages for the Mundus Bacillus Terrae. 4,800 bottles were filled in November 2019.—Luiz Gutirrez, The Wine Advocate

2018 Catena Zapata Adrianna Fortuna Terrae

98 JS / 97 WA   

$119.89/bottle (ETA 30 Days) Buy Now 

The 2018 Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae comes from deeper soils with clay and limestone planted in 1992 in Gualtallary. The grapes were picked a little later in 2018, as they had higher yields, to achieve better acidity. It fermented with 50% full clusters in 225-liter oak barrels and 500-liter roll fermentors and matured in French oak barrels for 18 months. It reveals some austerity and subtle aromas, red and black fruit, some spice and a medium to full-bodied palate with good tension and some austerity, developing a shy note of thyme after some time in the glass. It's very balanced and tasty. 5,040 bottles were filled in October 2019.—Luiz Gutierrez, The Wine Advocate