Bodega Catena Zapata : "Adrianna Mundus Bacillus Terrae" Malbec 2019

A great Argentinian red wine with a seductive finesse and balance

The estate

In 1902, Nicola Catena founded the Bodega Catena Zapata and planted his first plot of Malbec vines in the exceptional vineyards of Mendoza in Argentina.

This family-owned estate, constantly seeking excellence, experienced a new boom when it was taken over in the 1960s by Nicolás Catena Zapata. Wishing to revolutionise the production methods of Argentinian wines, Nicolás Catena Zapata was inspired by the vinification of Napa Valley wines and revealed new high-altitude terroirs in order to enhance the expression of the grape varieties.

Nicknamed "The Grand Cru of South America", Bodega Catena Zapata is an international reference recognised by critics for the finesse and elegance of its wines.

The vineyard

Bodega Catena Zapata's Adrianna Mundus Bacillus Terrae Malbec is a Mendoza wine and is the first Malbec wine produced by the estate, stemming from a rigorous selection of grapes from the Adrianna vineyard. Named after Nicolás Catena Zapata's youngest daughter, this 1.4-hectare vineyard is located at an altitude of 1,390 metres and is characterised by its alluvial soil composed of limestone.

The wine

The name of this wine also refers to the microorganisms that thrive in the limestone layers, which help the roots of the vines to resist stress and absorb nutrients. These rhizobacteria are called "mundus bacillus terrae" or "elegant microbes of the earth".

The vintage

2019 was a year marked by dry weather conditions, impacting the size of the grapes and yields. A constant breeze protected the vineyards from the risk of frost. The harvest began one to three weeks earlier than in other years, and the vineyard is in excellent health.

Vinification and ageing

Fermentation is carried out 75% in concrete vats (50% whole bunch) and 25% in oak tuns. Maceration for 8 to 13 days. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels.

The blend

Adrianna Mundus Bacillus Terrae Malbec 2019 by Bodega Catena Zapata is a 100% Malbec.