Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae

Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae

Wine Description

Nicolás Catena dared to plant vines where no one thought they would ripen. His high-altitude wine revolution culminated in the discovery of a new terroir for wine, the Adrianna Vineyard, at almost 5,000 feet elevation. 

He discovered that the average temperature decreases with higher altitudes, and the diurnal range increases. The cooler climate at this extreme elevation preserves natural acidity and increases polyphenols, while the intense mountain sunlight strengthens the tannins, producing wines of incredible depth and complexity. The wines consistently prove to have more minerality and acidity than wines from other sites in the Southern Uco Valley at lower altitudes. 

Remington-Mendoza
Laura Catena sits at a table with a glass of wine
Malbec Grapes
Alejandro Vigil (Chief Winemaker) and Laura Catena Tasting
Malbec Clone in La Piramide Vineyard
Nicolás Catena
Bodega Catena Zapata
Bodega Catena Zapata
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Acclaim
“The 2020 Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae shows exceptionally well. It's still young and juicy with some baby fat that should get rendered with some more time in bottle. It's a little lighter, and the tannins gave it grip and a chalky limestone sensation. But the wine is very expressive, with purity, clean and precise and not showing any signs of coming from a warmer year like 2020. It finishes with the telltale violets from the great Malbec grape coated by chalky minerality.”
— Wine Advocate, Nov 2022
“The 2020 Malbec Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae was 50% fermented with stems and spent up to 18 months in barrels. Because of the warm year, the grapes were harvested at four separate times, resulting in a ripe profile of plum, sour cherry, herbs and a touch of graphite framed by the oak. In the mouth, the freshness is sharp, the expression juicy and the tannins firm and polished. The flow is bold and expansive with a chalky texture.”
— Vinous, Nov 2022
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
Adrianna Vineyard
Vineyard size
296 acres
Soil composition
Calcareous and Silty-Loam
Training method
VSP
Elevation:
4,400 feet
Vines/acre:
1800
Exposure:
Northwestern
Year vineyard planted:
1992
Average Vine Age:
22
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Winemaking & Aging
Maceration length:
8-12
Varietal composition:
100% Malbec
Fermentation container:
Barriques
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
16 days
Fermentation temperature:
77-86 °F
Maceration technique:
Punchdown
Malolactic fermentation:
Full
Type of aging container:
Barriques and Barrels
Size of aging container:
225 L - 500 L - 2200 L
Type of oak:
French
Length of aging before bottling:
24 months
Age of Aging Container:
Two years
Length of bottle aging:
24 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.55
Acidity:
6.9 g/L
Alcohol:
13.9 %
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Wine Production

Fortuna Terrae means luck of the land in Latin; indeed, the vines from this parcel of the Adrianna Vineyard are lucky. The loamy soils are home to many varieties of native grasses, which prevent erosion and attract beneficial insects, singing birds, and mountain foxes. Because of the freshness imparted by the deep soils and high altitude, the wines of Fortuna Terrae have optimal acidity and delicate floral aromas. 

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About the Vineyard

Adrianna Vineyard is considered the most studied vineyard in the world. The Catena Institute of Wine has published 25 papers focused on micro-organisms, pollinators, birds, and native vegetation in prestigious peer-reviewed journals. A dedicated task force monitors energy consumption, weather stations map soils, 44 nesting crates provide habitats for native birds, and 39% of the vineyard land remains in virgin conditions.

Each of the Catena Zapata family vineyards is divided into parcels according to their soil composition. These parcels are farmed individually, with an eye on encouraging their most authentic fruit expression. The Adrianna Vineyard wines are Certified Organic by Letis.