2004 Malbec Adrianna
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Tasting notes
(from a late-ripening vineyard in Tupungato planted at an altitude of 4,725 feet) Saturated bright ruby. Brooding aromas of blackberry, black raspberry, dark chocolate, violet and pepper. Wonderfully lush and creamy, with uncommon intensity to its sweet blackberry fruit; some superripe notes are leavened by peppery lift on the very long and vibrant back end, which features wonderfully suave tannins and restrained sweetness. This is more high-pitched today than the Nicasia Vineyard bottling but perhaps a bit less harmonious; with 24 hours in the recorked bottle, though, it only gained in vibrancy.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The single-vineyard 2004 Malbec “Adrianna Vineyard” from the Gualtallary district is inky purple with aromas of wood smoke, pencil lead, game, black cherry, and blackberry liqueur. Opulent, full-flavored, yet remarkably light on its feet, this medium to full-bodied Malbec is all about pleasure. It will certainly evolve for a decade but is hard to resist now. It is a fine test of one’s ability to defer immediate gratification. When all is said and done, Catena Zapata is the Argentina winery of reference – the standard of excellence for comparing all others. The brilliant, forward-thinking Nicolas Catena remains in charge, with his daughter, Laura, playing an increasingly large role. The Catena Zapata winery is an essential destination for fans of both architecture and wine in Mendoza. It is hard to believe, given the surge in popularity of Malbec in recent years, that Catena Zapata only began exporting Malbec to the United States in 1994. Importer: Billington Imports, Springfield, VA; tel. (703) 455-4700; www.catenawines.com
The 2004 Malbec Adrianna Vineyard was sourced from Gualtallary and aged for 24 months in oak barrels. With a dark brick hue, it presents aromas of black fruit, dried figs and wild herbs, alongside ripe and evolved notes. Rich and indulgent, it offers a compact, juicy palate with a long and complex finish. This is a textured wine with a balanced character (14% alcohol content, pH of 3.55) that enhances its calibrated evolution.
About the producer
Bodega Catena Zapata has been instrumental both in the development of fine wine production in Argentina and in realising the full potential of the Malbec grape.