2019 Bodegas Catena Zapata Adrianna Mundus Bacillus Terrae Magnum

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Type of Wine | |
---|---|
Country | Argentina |
Region | |
Appellation | Mendoza (Appellation) |
Winery | |
Vintage | 2019 |
Grape | |
Content (Alc) | 1.5 ltr (14.5%) |
Drink window | 2023 - 2039 |
Low Stock
Only 2 left
Description
The famed Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary is perhaps the most studied vineyard in the world and is Catena's best vineyard for malbec. The vineyard is located at a respectable altitude of no less than 1480 meters. Only in this part (height and plot) can the Malbec vine absorb the optimal amount of nutrients, which ensures that this absolute grand cru among the Adriannas is remarkably expressive and distinctive. Since 2011, high-end Adrianna's have been produced under the name: Adrianna Mundus Bacillus Terrae, the Adrianna Fortuna Terrae and the Adrianna River Stones.
The 2019 Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae is lively and lively, beautifully structured and surprisingly fresh. The creamy and milky note when opening the (much too young bottle - this is almost baby murder) disappeared in the glass after a while and was replaced by fresher notes, almost citrus. At Catena Zapata they also made a selection of individual plants. They used a high percentage of full bunches and fermented it in concrete with native yeasts and aged it for 18 months in used oak barrels. This has to be one of the most beautiful vintages for the Mundus Bacillus Terrae. In November 2020, 5,500 bottles were filled. This is a great Malbec and the wine has received a whopping 98/100 Points from Parker and 97/100 James Suckling. Parker says, " The wine has ripeness but also the high acidity from the high-altitude vineyards that makes it very lively, beautifully textured, balanced and elegant. "
Bodega Catena Zapata is considered the flagship of Argentina's wineries. Robert Parker's statement says a lot: 'when all is said and done, Catena Zapata is the Argentina winery of reference, the standard of excellence'. The Mundus Bacillus Terrae and the Nicolas are the top wines and these 2 are not distributed through the regular importers but are distributed through the Place du Bordeaux where wine can happily buy.
This is a scarce 1.5 liter magnum in a beautiful box.
Specifications
Packing information | Case |
---|---|
Type of Wine | Red |
Country | Argentina |
Region | Mendoza |
Appellation | Mendoza (Appellation) |
Icons | Icon South America |
Winery | Catena Zapata |
Grape | Malbec |
Biological certified | No |
Natural wine | No |
Vegan | No |
Vintage | 2019 |
Drinking as of | 2023 |
Drinking till | 2039 |
Alcohol % | 14.5 |
Alcohol free/low | No |
Content | 1.5 ltr |
Oak aging | Yes |
Sparkling | No |
Dessert wine | No |
Closure | Cork |
Parker rating | 98 |
James Suckling rating | 98 |
Vinous rating | 96 |
Tasting Profiles | Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Rood fruit, Tannines, Vol |
Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe |
Professional Reviews
Parker
Rating
98
Release Price
$350
Drink Date
2023 - 2032
Reviewed by
Luis Gutiérrez
Issue Date
31st Aug 2022
Source
Issue 262 End of August 2022, The Wine Advocate
The sleek and elegant 2019 Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae is now certified organic (since 2018) and comes from vines planted in 1992 at 1,390 meters above sea level in Gualtallary on alluvial limestone soils. Seventy-five percent of the volume fermented in concrete vats with 50% full clusters, and the remaining 25% fermented in oak foudres. But instead of fermenting the grapes, they only fermented the juice (like it's usually done for white wines), to give the wine more elegance and lightness. I was listening to a record from a new band, Generation Radio, with musicians from Journey and Chicago, and the music had a similar profile to the wine: sleek, elegant, polished, nicely crafted, clean and harmonious, easy to listen to (and drink) with a soft side to it. The wine has ripeness (14% alcohol) but also the high acidity from the high-altitude vineyards that makes it very lively, beautifully textured, balanced and elegant. Beautiful. 5,400 bottles were filled in November 2020.
Catena Zapata, one of the leading producers in Argentina, also offers a couple of their top bottlings through the Place de Bordeaux.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
96
Drinking Window
2021 - 2039
From: Enduring Precision: The Latest Cellar-Worthy Wines from Argentina (Nov 2021)
The 2019 Malbec Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae from Gualtallary, Uco Valley comes from Parcel 3 of the Adrianna Vineyard, which is planted at a height of 4,560 feet in alluvial soils rich in calcium deposits. Aged for 18 months in new and used French barrels, it is a rich purple in hue. A complex, fragrant, aromatic profile of fresh blueberry and blackberry along with hints of plum, country herbs, black tea, lavender and a whiff of violets over a well-integrated bed of oak. In the mouth, it’s sheer elegance. The chalky tannins combine with the juicy freshness in such a way that the delicately balanced palate remains compact without drying out. The finish is a repeat of the nose.
- By JoaquÃn Hidalgo on November 2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
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Wijnhuis
Bodega Catena Zapata ranks among the absolute top of the Argentine wine world. This family estate from Mendoza, founded in 1902, sparked a revolution in South American viticulture. Through high-altitude pioneering and an uncompromising focus on quality, Catena Zapata not only put the Malbec grape on the map, but also helped establish Argentina’s reputation as a serious wine-producing nation. In this article, you’ll learn more about the impressive history, the iconic wines, and the innovative character of this leading winery.
Bodega Catena Zapata: Iconic Winery from Mendoza
Bodega Catena Zapata is one of Argentina’s most influential wineries and plays a key role in shaping the global reputation of Argentine fine wine. The winery was founded in 1902 by Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant who sought his fortune in Mendoza. He planted his first vineyard with the Malbec grape, which was then still an unknown variety in Argentina.
His son, Domingo Catena, carried on his father’s dream and became one of Mendoza’s largest vineyard owners. However, the family business also faced adversity: in the 1960s, Argentina was hit by economic instability and sky-high inflation.
Nicolás Catena: The Man Who Reinvented Argentine Wine
The young Nicolás Catena, freshly graduated as an economist, took over the business in the mid-1960s. At a time when Argentina was mainly known for bulk wine production, Nicolás made the bold decision to focus on quality. Against all odds, he sold off the table wine-producing part of the family business and retained only Bodegas Esmeralda, the foundation for high-quality wines.
His vision was revolutionary: Argentina had to leverage the quality of its terroir to compete at the highest international level. He began replanting Malbec and Chardonnay at high altitudes, including in Gualtallary, a subregion in the Uco Valley located over 1,500 meters above sea level. While many believed Malbec would never ripen at that altitude, Catena proved otherwise.
Malbec as an Argentine Icon
The Malbec grape is now inseparably linked to Argentina — largely thanks to Nicolás Catena. In 1994, he released his first Catena Malbec, made from old vines in the Adrianna Vineyard. This vineyard turned out to be of exceptional quality and helped elevate the global reputation of Malbec.
Catena even planted 145 different Malbec clones and rigorously tested their suitability. Ultimately, he selected the best clones for his top-tier wines, including those from the La Pirámide vineyard.
Laura Catena: Science Meets Winemaking
In 2001, Nicolás handed over the R&D project to his daughter Laura Catena, a medical doctor with degrees from Harvard and Stanford. Her scientific background brought a new dimension to the winemaking process. Together with her team, she focused on the extreme microclimates of the high-altitude vineyards, which led to unique expressions of Malbec.
In 2004, the decision was made to ferment the grapes from these vineyards directly in new French oak barrels. This resulted in three groundbreaking Malbecs that today stand as symbols of the winery’s innovative power.
The Wines of Catena Zapata: Five Distinct Lines
The winery produces five wine lines, each with its own character and level of quality:
- Catena Zapata: The flagship cuvées, made only in exceptional vintages.
- Catena Alta: Wines from the best parcels of high-altitude vineyards.
- Catena: The core line, balancing elegance and typicity.
- Alamos: Accessible wines with excellent value for money.
- Argento: The most commercial line, aimed at a broader market (Note: this line was later spun off and is no longer directly part of Catena Zapata).
All of these wines come from vineyards located at 900 meters or higher, clearly emphasizing Catena Zapata’s commitment to terroir and elevation.
Innovation, Vision, and Terroir at Catena Zapata
Catena Zapata is a textbook example of how vision, perseverance, and innovation can lead to international acclaim. From the first Malbec plantings in 1902 to Laura Catena’s cutting-edge vinification methods, the winery continues to evolve without losing sight of its roots.
The iconic winery building, shaped like a Mayan pyramid and designed in the 1990s, symbolizes the connection between past and future. It serves as the physical and philosophical heart of the estate.
Buying Wines from Bodega Catena Zapata at Grandcruwijnen?
At Grandcruwijnen, we offer a wide selection of Catena wines. Whether you're looking for an approachable Alamos Malbec or an impressive Catena Alta Chardonnay, you'll find it in our assortment. Order easily online or pick up your wines at our pickup center in Dordrecht. Our sommeliers are happy to advise you on the best food pairings for your favorite Catena wines.
The famed Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary is perhaps the most studied vineyard in the world and is Catena's best vineyard for malbec. The vineyard is located at a respectable altitude of no less than 1480 meters. Only in this part (height and plot) can the Malbec vine absorb the optimal amount of nutrients, which ensures that this absolute grand cru among the Adriannas is remarkably expressive and distinctive. Since 2011, high-end Adrianna's have been produced under the name: Adrianna Mundus Bacillus Terrae, the Adrianna Fortuna Terrae and the Adrianna River Stones.
The 2019 Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae is lively and lively, beautifully structured and surprisingly fresh. The creamy and milky note when opening the (much too young bottle - this is almost baby murder) disappeared in the glass after a while and was replaced by fresher notes, almost citrus. At Catena Zapata they also made a selection of individual plants. They used a high percentage of full bunches and fermented it in concrete with native yeasts and aged it for 18 months in used oak barrels. This has to be one of the most beautiful vintages for the Mundus Bacillus Terrae. In November 2020, 5,500 bottles were filled. This is a great Malbec and the wine has received a whopping 98/100 Points from Parker and 97/100 James Suckling. Parker says, " The wine has ripeness but also the high acidity from the high-altitude vineyards that makes it very lively, beautifully textured, balanced and elegant. "
Bodega Catena Zapata is considered the flagship of Argentina's wineries. Robert Parker's statement says a lot: 'when all is said and done, Catena Zapata is the Argentina winery of reference, the standard of excellence'. The Mundus Bacillus Terrae and the Nicolas are the top wines and these 2 are not distributed through the regular importers but are distributed through the Place du Bordeaux where wine can happily buy.
This is a scarce 1.5 liter magnum in a beautiful box.
Packing information | Case |
---|---|
Type of Wine | Red |
Country | Argentina |
Region | Mendoza |
Appellation | Mendoza (Appellation) |
Icons | Icon South America |
Winery | Catena Zapata |
Grape | Malbec |
Biological certified | No |
Natural wine | No |
Vegan | No |
Vintage | 2019 |
Drinking as of | 2023 |
Drinking till | 2039 |
Alcohol % | 14.5 |
Alcohol free/low | No |
Content | 1.5 ltr |
Oak aging | Yes |
Sparkling | No |
Dessert wine | No |
Closure | Cork |
Parker rating | 98 |
James Suckling rating | 98 |
Vinous rating | 96 |
Tasting Profiles | Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Rood fruit, Tannines, Vol |
Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe |
Parker
Rating
98
Release Price
$350
Drink Date
2023 - 2032
Reviewed by
Luis Gutiérrez
Issue Date
31st Aug 2022
Source
Issue 262 End of August 2022, The Wine Advocate
The sleek and elegant 2019 Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae is now certified organic (since 2018) and comes from vines planted in 1992 at 1,390 meters above sea level in Gualtallary on alluvial limestone soils. Seventy-five percent of the volume fermented in concrete vats with 50% full clusters, and the remaining 25% fermented in oak foudres. But instead of fermenting the grapes, they only fermented the juice (like it's usually done for white wines), to give the wine more elegance and lightness. I was listening to a record from a new band, Generation Radio, with musicians from Journey and Chicago, and the music had a similar profile to the wine: sleek, elegant, polished, nicely crafted, clean and harmonious, easy to listen to (and drink) with a soft side to it. The wine has ripeness (14% alcohol) but also the high acidity from the high-altitude vineyards that makes it very lively, beautifully textured, balanced and elegant. Beautiful. 5,400 bottles were filled in November 2020.
Catena Zapata, one of the leading producers in Argentina, also offers a couple of their top bottlings through the Place de Bordeaux.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
96
Drinking Window
2021 - 2039
From: Enduring Precision: The Latest Cellar-Worthy Wines from Argentina (Nov 2021)
The 2019 Malbec Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae from Gualtallary, Uco Valley comes from Parcel 3 of the Adrianna Vineyard, which is planted at a height of 4,560 feet in alluvial soils rich in calcium deposits. Aged for 18 months in new and used French barrels, it is a rich purple in hue. A complex, fragrant, aromatic profile of fresh blueberry and blackberry along with hints of plum, country herbs, black tea, lavender and a whiff of violets over a well-integrated bed of oak. In the mouth, it’s sheer elegance. The chalky tannins combine with the juicy freshness in such a way that the delicately balanced palate remains compact without drying out. The finish is a repeat of the nose.
- By JoaquÃn Hidalgo on November 2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Bodega Catena Zapata ranks among the absolute top of the Argentine wine world. This family estate from Mendoza, founded in 1902, sparked a revolution in South American viticulture. Through high-altitude pioneering and an uncompromising focus on quality, Catena Zapata not only put the Malbec grape on the map, but also helped establish Argentina’s reputation as a serious wine-producing nation. In this article, you’ll learn more about the impressive history, the iconic wines, and the innovative character of this leading winery.
Bodega Catena Zapata: Iconic Winery from Mendoza
Bodega Catena Zapata is one of Argentina’s most influential wineries and plays a key role in shaping the global reputation of Argentine fine wine. The winery was founded in 1902 by Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant who sought his fortune in Mendoza. He planted his first vineyard with the Malbec grape, which was then still an unknown variety in Argentina.
His son, Domingo Catena, carried on his father’s dream and became one of Mendoza’s largest vineyard owners. However, the family business also faced adversity: in the 1960s, Argentina was hit by economic instability and sky-high inflation.
Nicolás Catena: The Man Who Reinvented Argentine Wine
The young Nicolás Catena, freshly graduated as an economist, took over the business in the mid-1960s. At a time when Argentina was mainly known for bulk wine production, Nicolás made the bold decision to focus on quality. Against all odds, he sold off the table wine-producing part of the family business and retained only Bodegas Esmeralda, the foundation for high-quality wines.
His vision was revolutionary: Argentina had to leverage the quality of its terroir to compete at the highest international level. He began replanting Malbec and Chardonnay at high altitudes, including in Gualtallary, a subregion in the Uco Valley located over 1,500 meters above sea level. While many believed Malbec would never ripen at that altitude, Catena proved otherwise.
Malbec as an Argentine Icon
The Malbec grape is now inseparably linked to Argentina — largely thanks to Nicolás Catena. In 1994, he released his first Catena Malbec, made from old vines in the Adrianna Vineyard. This vineyard turned out to be of exceptional quality and helped elevate the global reputation of Malbec.
Catena even planted 145 different Malbec clones and rigorously tested their suitability. Ultimately, he selected the best clones for his top-tier wines, including those from the La Pirámide vineyard.
Laura Catena: Science Meets Winemaking
In 2001, Nicolás handed over the R&D project to his daughter Laura Catena, a medical doctor with degrees from Harvard and Stanford. Her scientific background brought a new dimension to the winemaking process. Together with her team, she focused on the extreme microclimates of the high-altitude vineyards, which led to unique expressions of Malbec.
In 2004, the decision was made to ferment the grapes from these vineyards directly in new French oak barrels. This resulted in three groundbreaking Malbecs that today stand as symbols of the winery’s innovative power.
The Wines of Catena Zapata: Five Distinct Lines
The winery produces five wine lines, each with its own character and level of quality:
- Catena Zapata: The flagship cuvées, made only in exceptional vintages.
- Catena Alta: Wines from the best parcels of high-altitude vineyards.
- Catena: The core line, balancing elegance and typicity.
- Alamos: Accessible wines with excellent value for money.
- Argento: The most commercial line, aimed at a broader market (Note: this line was later spun off and is no longer directly part of Catena Zapata).
All of these wines come from vineyards located at 900 meters or higher, clearly emphasizing Catena Zapata’s commitment to terroir and elevation.
Innovation, Vision, and Terroir at Catena Zapata
Catena Zapata is a textbook example of how vision, perseverance, and innovation can lead to international acclaim. From the first Malbec plantings in 1902 to Laura Catena’s cutting-edge vinification methods, the winery continues to evolve without losing sight of its roots.
The iconic winery building, shaped like a Mayan pyramid and designed in the 1990s, symbolizes the connection between past and future. It serves as the physical and philosophical heart of the estate.
Buying Wines from Bodega Catena Zapata at Grandcruwijnen?
At Grandcruwijnen, we offer a wide selection of Catena wines. Whether you're looking for an approachable Alamos Malbec or an impressive Catena Alta Chardonnay, you'll find it in our assortment. Order easily online or pick up your wines at our pickup center in Dordrecht. Our sommeliers are happy to advise you on the best food pairings for your favorite Catena wines.