CATENA ZAPATA ADRIANNA VINEYARD
MENDOZA, ARGENTINA
Why Buy: A wowing portfolio tour of the recently-named #1 Vineyard in the World from the World's Best Vineyards 2023 ceremony: the 99-point White Bones Chardonnay 2021, the 98-point White Stones Chardonnay 2021, the 98-point Adrianna Fortuna Terrae Malbec 2020, the 97+- point Adrianna River Stones Malbec 2020, and the 97-point Adrianna Mundus Bacillus Terrae Malbec 2020. A high-altitude estate owned and operated by a fourth-generation family, and surrounded by old-vine vineyards that go back more than 100 years, Catena Zapata is one of the best winemaking families in the world, not just in Argentina, and we are proud to have partnered with them.
What They're Saying: At the World's Best Vineyards 2023 ceremony, critic and host Tim Atkin had plenty of kind words to say about the winner: “Bodega Catena Zapata is a driving force in Argentine winemaking. A winery that played a pivotal role in resurrecting Malbec's fortunes, pushing Mendoza's vineyards higher into the Andean foothills, and delving deeply into the country's many terroirs."
The Story: Though the Catena story stretches all the way back to 1902, when Nicola Catena, an immigrant from Italy, planted his first vineyard, it wasn't until grandson Nicolás, an economist by training, saw the potential for Mendoza to become a world-class destination for wine, with Catena Zapata as the standard-bearer. He has been relentless in his pursuit of that vision, combining a scientist's precision with an explorer's ambition. Today, grapes are sourced from six single varietal lots (Angélica, La Pirámide, Nicasia, Domingo, Adrianna, and Angélica Sur) of varying altitudes (some as high as nearly 5,000 feet) and terroirs in the majestic hills of Mendoza. The rich, alluvial soil of the 100-year-old-plus vineyards could hardly be more optimal for producing wines of sophistication and complexity, and the mountainous climate plays its part beautifully, stressing the vines with sun-baked days and cool, brisk nights. The Catenas (the daughter-father team of Laura and Nicolás) and Alejandro Vigil, the lead winemaker, are exacting in their standards, and attentive to every detail, but the mission here is to make highly-balanced, supernally-smooth, and irresistibly drinkable wines that can become part of people's everyday lives.
Our Tasting Notes: The Malbecs are everything this varietal, a stalwart throughout much of South America, embodies at its best: brawniness, density, and layer upon layer of spice. But what we love about them is that they bring so much more, including finesse, energy, and lift. All of which elevate them far, far beyond the realm of table wines. The Adrianna Fortuna Terrae Malbec 2020 and the Adrianna River Stones Malbec 2020 beggar comparison with some of the most stellar, Merlot-dominant Bordeaux of the Right Bank. This is an estate that treats its whites with just as much care and reverence as it does its reds, and the White Bones and White Stones are knock-out Chardonnays, adroitly avoiding the cliches that make for an unwelcome flabbiness in certain New World expressions. We love the way their fruit is kept under control, their subtle but persistent minerality, and the way they carry not just their energy but also their sense of balance all the way forward to the lingering, elegant finish.
What to Pair Them With: The Chardonnays: lobster rolls, pan-roasted salmon, scallops in beurre blanc, egg-and-cheese stratas, ripened cheeses. The Malbecs: grilled steaks; cheeseburgers; rack of lamb; aged cheeses; charcuterie.
Fun Fact: Laura Catena is not just a fourth-generation vintner; she's also a doctor, and divides her time between Mendoza and San Francisco, where she works as an ER physician.
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source direct, so you can be confident that your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Don't hesitate to secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Spring 2024. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Thursday, December 7th, 2024.
