2018 Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae Malbec
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Tasting notes
Tasted from a 10-cl tube. ' Named after Nicolás Catena Zapata’s youngest daughter, the Adrianna Vineyard is located at almost 1,500 m asl in Mendoza. The soils in this 1.4-ha parcel are filled with scattered limestone and marine deposits that covered the region millions of years ago. The limestone layers are well-drained and particularly rich in rhizobacteria, the microorganisms that help vine roots withstand stress and absorb nutrients. Thus, the name "mundus bacillus terrae" or "elegant microbes of the earth." This wine comes from a particular parcel within the Adrianna Vineyard, right in the middle, on a shallow 40-cm layer of limestone, sand and stone under which lies solid rock. Their DNA research has shown that this particular parcel has a unique population of microbes. 'In naming this wine', says Laura Catena, 'I wanted to honour the microbes.' 100% Malbec. 75% of the beginning of fermentation in concrete (50% whole cluster) and 25% of the completion of fermentation in oak foudre (just juice). Fermented at 25–30 °C for 8–13 days' maceration. 18 months in French oak barrels. A black panther of a wine. Morello cherry, mica, ink dust and shadow. Black pepper. A wine felt more than tasted, defined by its shape not its fruit. Conchoidal, planed along ancient fractures, lean, mithril, stunningly beautiful. (TC)
Critic scores
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
Tom Parker MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
100% Malbec. There is a heady, sweet florality to the nose here in addition to ripe red cherries. Bombastic and powerful fruit bursts through on the palate immediately. Despite this, there is bright and zesty acidity to hold everything together. There is a slightly confected violet note, but the tannins are highly refined and remain subtle, allowing the fruit to shine through. Admirably long finish. (TP)
Let the aromatics slowly unfurl out of the glass, really give it time. Crushed raspberries and tobacco, fresh flowers, salty crackers, oyster shell. The weight, the texture, the acidity are all in balance, playing off each other. Stops you in your tracks. A spring frost reduced yields by about 20%, fermented with 50% whole cluster between concrete vats and oak casks. 7400 cases produced. Wine Director: Alejandro Vigil.
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.