2022 Bodegas Catena Zapata Adrianna Mundus Bacillus Terrae
De specificaties zoals vermeld bij de wijn (o.a. wijnjaar) en in de titel zijn leidend en er kunnen geen rechten worden ontleend aan de afbeelding die wordt getoond. Lees meer in onze Frequenty asked questions
| Type of Wine | |
|---|---|
| Country | Argentina |
| Region | |
| Appellation | Mendoza (Appellation) |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (13.5%) |
| Drink window | 2025 - 2048 |
| Available as of | May 31, 2026 |
Ordering in bulk? Log in to request a quote
In stock
11 items available
Backorder Information
It is possible to order this article in backorder. This is possible with items that we can generally have in stock again in 3-5 working days. You can simply order it, but it is important to mention that we only send the order when it is complete.
Notities
Foto
Proefnotities
Heb je deze wijn geproefd?
Bewaar je beoordeling en aantekeningen.
Bewaar je beoordeling en aantekeningen.
Heb je deze wijn geproefd?
Log in om je proefnotitie op te slaan.
Log in om je proefnotitie op te slaan.
InloggenHoe wil je je wijn beoordelen?
Max 5 MB. JPG, PNG, WebP.
Hoe smaakt het?
Klik op wat het beste past. Alles is optioneel.
Welke geuren en smaken herken je?
Klik op alles wat je herkent. Dit is optioneel.
Uiterlijk
Neus
Aroma's (neus)
Smaak
Smaken (mond)
Afdronk
Wijngegevens
Automatisch ingevuld vanuit productgegevens.
Persoonlijke gegevens
The 2022 Bodegas Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae is one of Argentina's most impressive Malbecs. This wine comes from a small parcel within the renowned Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary, high in Mendoza's Uco Valley. Here, altitude, chalky soils, and precision are key. The result is a Malbec with enormous depth, refinement, and a remarkably fresh, engaging finish.
A top Malbec from Gualtallary
Mundus Bacillus Terrae comes from a plot of just 1.4 hectares. The vineyard is located at an altitude of approximately 1,390 meters, at the foot of the Andes. This creates significant temperature variations between day and night. During the day, the grapes receive plenty of sun, while the nights are cool. This allows the grapes to ripen slowly and retain their freshness.
The soil also plays a major role here. It consists of calcareous alluvial deposits with high levels of calcium carbonate. It is precisely these poor, stony soils that give the wine its tight structure, mineral character, and exceptional length. The name Mundus Bacillus Terrae refers to the life in the soil and underscores the importance of terroir for this wine.
The 2022 wine year
The 2022 vintage is considered a particularly strong year for this wine. The season saw varying conditions, but ultimately, a healthy leaf wall, ample meltwater from the Andes, and a cool autumn ensured slow and even ripening. As a result, this vintage combines power with precision.
That's precisely what makes this wine so strong. It's highly concentrated, but never heavy. It has intensity, yet remains lively and taut. This makes it impressive now, but also suitable for long aging.
Vinification and maturation
Vinification uses a combination of concrete and large oak barrels. A large portion of the grapes are fermented in concrete vats, some with whole bunches. This adds tension, aromatic refinement, and structure. A smaller portion is fermented in oak foudres.
The wine then matures for 15 to 18 months in French oak barrels of various sizes. By using larger barrels, the fruit remains the focus, giving the wine added depth without excessive oak influence. Everything is designed to showcase the pure expression of Malbec from this specific location.
Smell, taste and style of the Mundus Bacillus Terrae
In the glass, the wine has a deep purple color. The aroma is powerful and layered, with flavors of blackcurrant, blackberry, dark cherry, and violet. There are also notes of graphite, wet stone, spice, cocoa, and subtle woody notes.
On the palate, this is a powerful yet highly refined wine. The attack is intense, with abundant dark fruit and a distinct minerality. The tannins are firm yet finely structured. The fresh acidity provides balance and ensures the wine is never heavy. The finish is long, precise, and complex, with lingering notes of black fruit, flowers, spices, and chalky freshness.
This isn't a broad, jammy Malbec, but rather a wine with focus, detail, and tension. That's what makes this bottling so special within Argentina's top segment.
About Catena Zapata
Bodegas Catena Zapata is one of the most important names in the Argentine wine world. For generations, the family-owned company has played a major role in developing quality Mendoza wines. Under the leadership of Nicolás Catena Zapata, the estate became a pioneer in high-altitude vineyards.
With the Adrianna Vineyard, Catena Zapata demonstrated the enormous potential of Malbec at altitude. Together with winemaker Alejandro Vigil, they are working here to create wines that not only possess power but also precision, finesse, and ageing potential. Mundus Bacillus Terrae is one of the finest examples.
This Malbec pairs best with rich and flavorful dishes. Think grilled red meat, sirloin steak, ribeye, or slow-cooked short ribs. Rack of lamb, game dishes, and dishes featuring mushrooms or truffles also pair beautifully with this wine. Mature hard cheeses also make a lovely pairing.
The 2022 Bodegas Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae is a wine for lovers of grand terroir wines with excitement and depth. This is a world-class Malbec, sourced from one of South America's most famous plots. Impressive to taste young, but above all, a bottle with the potential to continue to develop for years to come.
| Available as of | May 31, 2026 |
|---|---|
| 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 | 2022 |
| Drinking as of | 2025 |
| Drinking till | 2048 |
| Alcohol % | 13.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Promotion | En Primeur |
| Parker rating | 99 |
| Vinous rating | 97 |
| Tasting Profiles | Complex, Donker fruit, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Mineraal, Rijk, Tannines |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Met vrienden, Open haard, Romantisch, Terras |
| Sommy Pairing Beschrijving | De Mundus Bacillus Terrae van Adrianna Vineyard is levendig en verfijnd met een geconcentreerd Malbec-karakter, tonen van donker fruit, viooltjes en een frisse mineraliteit die na beluchting plaatsmaakt voor elegant fruit en een gelaagde, verfijnde structuur. Deze wijn schittert bij rundvlees en feestelijke of romantische gelegenheden dankzij zijn frisse zuurgraad en diepe, geconcentreerde smaken die mooi samengaan met de jus van gegrild of geroosterd vlees; hij werkt bijzonder goed met bereidingswijzen zoals langzaam geroosterd vlees of langzame garing met een kruidige, licht rokerige toets. Een lichte marinade of subtiele kruidenrub versterkt de fruitintensiteit en kruidigheid, terwijl de frisheid van de wijn de rijkdom van het gerecht in balans houdt, wat samen zorgt voor een harmonieuze wijn-spijs ervaring. |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 99
Reviewed by:
Matthew Luczy
Drink Date:
2025 - 2042
Among the exceptional trio of Malbec bottlings from Adrianna Vineyard, I found the 2022 Adrianna Vineyard Malbec Mundus Bacillus Terrae to be the most complete and captivating. Starting with a dramatic, exotic, multidimensional and sophisticated nose, it presents an array of paradoxes that characterize the world's most intriguing wines: depth coupled with lift and elegance matched with assertion, all underpinned by a quiet, understated intensity that flows from the nose to the finish. A sleek, rich and polished palate transitions into a grippy, ultra-refined finish featuring well-measured tannins and remarkable length. I eagerly anticipate how this wine will evolve, and I have no doubt its trajectory will span at least two decades.
It is difficult to avoid hyperbole when discussing the Catena family's impact on Argentine wine. It is the rare wine-producing country that can rightfully assign such an outsized contribution to the success of one producer that would propel the success of the wines of an entire nation. Equally remarkable is the relatively brief time scale on which such a global phenomenon has occurred, spanning just three generations from its founding in 1908.
The plethora of Catena bottlings ranges from entry-level, widely distributed supermarket SKUs to site-specific gems under the Catena Zapata heading. Their relentless progress and expansion have occurred alongside a parallel endeavor to utilize science for terroir analysis, viticultural planning and winemaking practices through the Catena Wine Institute. Among others, their analysis of Gualtallary's Adrianna Vineyard exemplifies the importance of an informed perspective on terroir, central to closing the gap between the merely good and truly great wines of the world. Catena occupies a remarkably rare position in the wine world as a producer that can be aptly described as both a juggernaut and an artisanal, intentional student of their vineyards.
Winemaking director Alejandro Vigil is a bona fide celebrity winemaker—locally referred to as "The Messi of Wine"—and judging by the two hours I spent walking the Chachingo wine fair with him, the fandom I observed must be comparable to strolling a music trade show in the presence of Mick Jagger. Perhaps most impressive of all is the grace, care and unadulterated passion for wine that he relentlessly displays. As for the wines themselves, his reputation precedes him at each turn and each price point: as referential as the famed Parcelas bottlings from Adrianna Vineyard undoubtedly are, the entry-level Catena wines struck me as nearly equally impressive in their own right, each precisely summarizing their varieties and origins with equally yolked precision across the range.
Published: May 01, 2025
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
97
Drinking Window
2026 - 2046
From: Uco Valley: The Age of High-Elevation Reds (Nov 2024)
The 2022 Malbec Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae is a terroir-driven wine aptly named for the soil-dwelling bacteria that nourish the grape roots at this site. Sourced from a site planted in 1992 at 1,390 meters above sea level in Tupungato, Uco Valley, the 2022 was aged for 15-18 months in French oak barrels. This purple-hued Malbec is delicate and juicy, featuring notes of violet, lavender, cherry and plum, alongside hints of mountain herbs. It's juicy with a taut structure, leaving a trace of red fruit and darker elements. It finishes with a refined juiciness, showcasing a prominent chalky mouthfeel. This embodies the essence of modern high-altitude winemaking.
- By Joaquín Hidalgo on November 2024
Catena Zapata is the quintessential ambassador of Argentine wine on the international stage. In the 1980s, third-generation Nicolás Catena Zapata shifted the family’s focus from mass-market brands to producing world-class wines, establishing vineyards at higher elevations in search of cooler climates. This journey led to the La Pirámide vineyard in Agrelo, followed by the Domingo and Adrianna vineyards in Tupungato, and the Nicasia vineyard in Paraje Altamira. Today, Laura Catena, Nicolás’s daughter, leads the operation with a distinguished team, including Alejandro Vigil in the winery and Fernando Buscema at the Catena Institute of Wine. Together, they take a science-driven approach, crafting renowned parcel wines that embody the unique character of high-elevation viticulture— White Bones and White Stones Chardonnay, River, Fortuna Terrae, and Mundus Bacillus, among others.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
98/100
98 Jeb Dunnuck
97 Jane Anson
97 Decanter
100 Descorchados
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.
Food Pairings
De Mundus Bacillus Terrae van Adrianna Vineyard is levendig en verfijnd met een geconcentreerd Malbec-karakter, tonen van donker fruit, viooltjes en een frisse mineraliteit die na beluchting plaatsmaakt voor elegant fruit en een gelaagde, verfijnde structuur. Deze wijn schittert bij rundvlees en feestelijke of romantische gelegenheden dankzij zijn frisse zuurgraad en diepe, geconcentreerde smaken die mooi samengaan met de jus van gegrild of geroosterd vlees; hij werkt bijzonder goed met bereidingswijzen zoals langzaam geroosterd vlees of langzame garing met een kruidige, licht rokerige toets. Een lichte marinade of subtiele kruidenrub versterkt de fruitintensiteit en kruidigheid, terwijl de frisheid van de wijn de rijkdom van het gerecht in balans houdt, wat samen zorgt voor een harmonieuze wijn-spijs ervaring.
Click on a category to discover delicious recipes that pair perfectly with this wine.
Do you already have a dish in mind?
Let our AI sommelier help you find the ideal wine for your dish
Start the Sommy Wine Advice ToolDiscover Wine Trivia
Sign in to unlock fascinating facts about this wine and expand your knowledge.
Sign In
