2014 Malbec Adrianna Vineyard River Stones
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Tasting notes
The 2014 Adrianna Vineyard River Stones is the second vintage of the Malbec from the stonier part of the Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary that is next to a dry river bed (the vineyard has 110 hectares that were planted in 1994). It fermented in open-top 500-liter oak barrels with full clusters. It was pressed before the end of fermentation, and it then finished fermenting without skins (like a white) and matured in 1,800-liter oak foudre for 18 months. It's a compact, super serious Malbec with concentration and power, great balance, abundant tannins, strong minerality, firm texture, great austerity and no concessions for sweetness whatsoever. It has all that it takes to develop for a long time in bottle. 5,400 bottles were filled in July 2016.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
(fermented in new oak, then aged in old foudres ): Bright ruby-red. Complex scents of blackberry and graphite minerality. Wonderfully supple and fine-grained but kept fresh and delineated by strong acidity and penetrating minerality. The brisk purple fruit and violet flavors are enlivened by an element of crushed stone. There's lurking fruit sweetness here but also a powerful spine that calls for aging. Finishes ripe and very long.
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.