Catena Zapata Adrianna Mundus Bacillus Terrae Malbec 2017 (750ML)

98 JS / 97+ WA

A layered and very soft red with checked yet unctuous tannins. Full body and caressing texture. Plenty of meat, earth and decadent notes. Great finish. A joy to taste. Drink or hold. James Suckling

The three reds from Adrianna vineyard felt quite homogeneous in quality; perhaps the slightly warmer years provide more even wines, and the cooler vintages tend to show more differences. Having said that, I was quite impressed by the 2017 Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae, a wine that is usually more backward and is sold later than the other two. There is clout and power but with balance and finesse. The ripeness is very contained, and the texture on the palate is similar to the other two. I guess they harvested earlier to compensate the lower yields and the warm end of the season. The 2016 is offered now, and this 2017 will be sold in September 2020. There are 3,960 bottles of this. It was bottled in November 2018. LG – The Wine Advocate