2023 Catena Zapata Malbec Mundus Bacillus Terrae

100 POINTS: The spot within the vineyard from which the 2023 Malbec Mundus Bacillus Terrae Adrianna Vineyard grows is extremely extreme, at high-altitude in poor soils and prone to frost. The location also explains why there are more terpenes in the vines from microbes, as discovered in a soil study that also pinpointed a specific rizo bacteria here (aka, Mundus Bacillus). A wider, rounder mouthfeel from concrete fermentation and aging, and 60-80% whole-cluster, contribute additional buzz and structure, though there’s a lovely juiciness of spiced berry on the midpalate. Wow. Hold and drink 2033-2043.