Bodega Catena Zapata : "Adrianna River" Malbec 2022

A great Argentine Malbec from Mendoza's high-altitude terroirs

The estate
Founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena, Bodega Catena Zapata spans six historic vineyards in Mendoza, including the prestigious Adrianna at almost 1,500 meters above sea level. A family-owned property now led by Laura Catena and the Zapata team, it stands out for its revolutionary scientific approach to Argentine terroir through the Catena Institute of Wine established in 1995. A pioneer in the revival of malbec and high-altitude viticulture, it was named "World's Best Vineyards" in 2023.

The vineyard
The plot dedicated to this "Adrianna River" cuvée covers 2.6 hectares in the Gualtallary district, in the Argentina region of Tupungato Alto, Uco Valley in Mendoza. Situated at 1,366 meters above sea level, it rests on alluvial soils composed of white stones covered with calcium carbonate, remnants of an ancient riverbed that give the wine its unique mineral signature.

The vintage
The year 2022 was exceptionally good for the quality of Mendoza wines, despite unpredictable weather conditions. The availability of glacial water helped keep the vineyards healthy, and a cool autumn allowed for a slow and complete maturation of the grapes, ensuring remarkable concentration and balance in the vintage.

Winemaking and aging
The Adrianna River Malbec 2022 undergoes a cold maceration of 5 to 10 days at below 10°C with 60 to 80% whole clusters. Fermentation lasts 12 to 22 days, followed by a total maceration of approximately 10 to 15 days. Aging takes place over 18 to 21 months in French oak, using 500-liter barrels aged 2 to 5 years and 2,200-liter casks older than 5 years.

Grape variety

The Adrianna River Malbec 2022 from Bodega Catena Zapata is 100% Malbec.