2019 Bodegas Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard River Malbec

The famous Adrianna vineyard in Gualtallary is perhaps the most studied vineyard in the world and is the best vineyard of Catena for Malbec. The vineyard is located at a respectable altitude of no less than 1480 meters. Only in this part (altitude and plot) can the Malbec vine absorb the optimal amount of nutrients which ensures that this absolute grandcru among the Adrianna's is remarkably expressive and distinctive. Since 2011, a high-end Adrianna has been produced under the name: Adrianna Mundus Bacillus, the Terrae and the Adrianna Fortuna Terrae and the Adrianna River Stones. This River Stones is a unique and very scarce wine which is made in an extremely small edition. The River Stones comes from a small plot of 2.6HA from the Adrianna vineyard which is covered with white oval stones and was a riverbed in the past. This special piece of vineyard therefore has extremely good drainage. The vineyard is located at 1366 altitude so warm during the day and cold at night but the white pebbles store the heat of the day and release it slowly during the night which ensures a very gradual warming and cooling. The wine has been matured for 24 months on French oak. The stony soil ensures that this Malbec is very aromatic, rich and delicate. This is a great Malbec with beautiful soft tannins. The wine can be drunk young but can also be enjoyed for decades. This is an absolute collector's item and unprecedentedly beautiful. Despite its high price, this is only a pittance compared to the expensive Bordeaux and Burgundies.

The Adrianna Vineyard River Stones is always the freshest and most austere of the three single-plot bottlings from the Adrianna Vineyard at Gultallary. This Malbec fermented at around 70% full bunches, as it was harvested at three different times, with the first two being fermented full bunches and the last picking being destemmed. The nose is subtle, elegant and nuanced; the grapes were picked quite early, which gave a lively palate with almost citrus (blood orange) sensations. A small percentage of the wine was aged in stainless steel. They worked with irrigation, only irrigating it four times that year, which allowed for more precision in the viticulture, which is reflected in the balance of the wine. It has very fine tannins, a very fine grain and a dry, long and flavoursome finish. This is distinctly stony, true to the character of the site. Red fruit, structured and mineral.

Bodega Catena Zapata is considered the flagship of the wineries in Argentina. Robert Parke's statement says a lot: 'when all is said and done, Catena Zapata is the Argentina winery of reference, the standard of excellence'.