Founded in 1902, Argentina’s Bodega Catena Zapata pioneered the revival of Malbec and the discovery of extreme high-altitude terroir in the Andean foothills of Mendoza. Its crown jewel is the Adrianna Vineyard — planted at nearly 5,000 feet in the Uco Valley and often called the Grand Cru of South America.

The River parcel sits in the path of a dried-out riverbed, its stony soil coaxing out an especially aromatic, rich and luxurious Malbec — floral and exuberant, with smooth tannins and a long, lingering finish. Lovely young, but built to age for decades.

Review:

Probably the most austere among the three Adrianna Vineyard malbecs. Arresting nose already, with a touch of white pepper to the deep black and blue fruit. Huge depth and profoundness, but at the same time it is so fresh. The difference is more obvious on the palate if you compare this with the Mundus Bacillus Terrae and Fortuna Terrae bottlings. This shows the claws of the mineral tannins, which are a little less fleshy than Mundus, but with more tension. Seamless, taut and long. Drink from 2026.

-James Suckling 99 Points