Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae

Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus 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
“Tasting the 2020 Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae next to the 2019 showed a different aromatic profile of darker fruit, denoting ripeness and sun. The wine was still very young with a luxurious, creamy texture and mouthfeel. 2020 was an extremely dry year (70% lower than the average with just 282 liters!), and the grapes were picked two to three weeks earlier. It has a bright, saturated color and a heady nose with ripe berries and a spicy, smoky twist from 19 months in oak vats. It's medium to full bodied, with a soft texture and velvety tannins, sleek and seamless.”
— Wine Advocate, Nov 2022
“The 2020 Malbec Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae hails from a small parcel of a vineyard in Gualtallary, Uco Valley and was barrel-aged for 18 months. Dark purple in the glass. The expressive, layered nose delivers notes of blackberry, plum, lavender and violet with a pinch of herbs. Intense and concentrated but agile in feel, the palate is taut, while the fine-grained, chalky tannins are enlivened by the acidity, which teases out the lovely ripe flavors toward the end. This is a substantial but juicy red, everything you’d want from a high altitude wine.”
— Vinous, Aug 2022
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
Adrianna Vineyard
Soil composition
Calcareous and Silty-Loam
Training method
VSP
Elevation:
4,900 feet
Vines/acre:
1800
Exposure:
Northwestern
Year vineyard planted:
1992
Harvest time:
First week of April
First vintage of this wine:
2011
Bottles produced of this wine:
4,200
Average Vine Age:
22
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Winemaking & Aging
Maceration length:
8-13
Varietal composition:
100% Malbec
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
16 days
Fermentation temperature:
77-86 °F
Maceration technique:
Pumpovers
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
Alcohol:
14 %
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Wine Production

This parcel is scattered with limestone and marine deposits that covered the region millions of years ago. The limestone layers are well-drained and particularly rich in rhizobacteria, the microorganisms that help roots withstand stress and absorb nutrients in the extreme conditions of the cold, arid Adrianna Vineyard. Mundus Bacillus Terrae ("microbes of the earth," in Latin) pays homage to these bacteria.

The 1.4-hectare parcel of vines produces a wine of remarkable concentration and great acidity. 
 

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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.