In Bond Fine Wine. 2018 Catena Zapata Fortuna Terrae Malbec, Adrianna Vineyard, Adrianna Vineyard, Uco Valley, Argentina. Red argentina in 3x75cl. Top critic score: 97/100 (LG). Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
Founded in Mendoza in 1902, Catena Zapata is one of the defining names in modern Argentine wine. It was Nicolas Catena's belief in the potential of extreme high-altitude vineyards that transformed the family's fortunes and helped change international perceptions of Argentine fine wine. The Adrianna Vineyard, planted high in Gualtallary in the foothills of the Andes, was initially considered an audacious experiment. Today it is the source of Catena's most celebrated wines. Under Laura Catena and winemaker Alejandro Vigil, detailed research into altitude, soils and individual vineyard parcels has taken this work even further. Wines such as White Stones and White Bones are the result: tiny-production, site-specific wines that have established Adrianna as one of the world's most exciting vineyards.
James Suckling (JS) — 98/100 · JamesSuckling.com, 13/02/2020 · Drink 2024+
The aromatics here really seduce you with their blackberry and dried-strawberry notes and undertones of wet earth, green tea, dried flowers, stones and dust. Full bodied, tight and very focused with similarly complex character on the palate. More muscle than many previous vintages of this. Extremely long and juicy. Needs at least four or five years to come together. Try after 2024.
Luis Gutiérrez (LG) — 97/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 01/03/2021 · Drink 2021 - 2027
The 2018 Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae comes from deeper soils with clay and limestone planted in 1992 in Gualtallary. The grapes were picked a little later in 2018, as they had higher yields, to achieve better acidity. It fermented with 50% full clusters in 225-liter oak barrels and 500-liter roll fermentors and matured in French oak barrels for 18 months. It reveals some austerity and subtle…