The 2019 Bodegas Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard River Malbec is a distinguished wine from the Mendoza region of Argentina, specifically the Tupungato sub-region. It is produced by the renowned Bodegas Catena Zapata and is presented in a 750 ml bottle with a cork closure. The wine is a vibrant red with an alcohol content of 14.0%.
This vintage has garnered exceptional reviews from several respected wine critics. James Suckling awarded it a remarkable score of 98, noting its bright and aromatic profile. He describes the wine as having "flowers and blackberries, as well as some black olives." Suckling highlights its full-bodied nature, emphasizing the fine, integrated tannins that "spread across the palate." He also mentions that the wine undergoes whole-cluster fermentation and spends 18 months in large oak casks, recommending a few more years of cellaring for optimal integration.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate rated the wine even higher, with a score of 99, describing it as an "exceptional vintage." The review details that the wine originates from a very stony part of the Adrianna Vineyard, close to a dry river. This vintage is noted for its harmony and subtleness, with hints of "violets and wet stones." The Advocate highlights the wine's "rare combination of power and elegance," its precise and focused nature, and its very fine, ripe tannins with a chalky sensation in the finish. This review also mentions that 5,520 bottles were filled in December 2020.
Vinous also praised the wine, giving it a score of 97. The review describes the wine's origin from a high-altitude parcel in the Adrianna Vineyard, planted at 4,400 feet in a dried river bed. The wine spent 20 months aging in new and used French barrels, resulting in a rich purple color. The nose offers a complex blend of "plum, sour cherry and blueberry with herbs, lavender, hints of balsam and oaky aromas such as cedar and sandalwood." On the palate, it is noted for its fine, taut tannins and lean, energetic profile, embodying the concentrated soils and freshness of its cool region.
Overall, the 2019 Bodegas Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard River Malbec is a highly acclaimed wine, celebrated for its aromatic complexity, elegant structure, and remarkable balance.