2019 Catena Zapata Malbec Fortuna Terrae Adrianna Vineyard

The 2019 Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae has herbal and spicy aromas intermixed with flowers coming through as harmonious and very integrated. It comes from a part of the vineyard with slightly deeper soils with limestone at 70 centimeters. This plot provides very aromatic, lighter wines, floral, with fine tannins with chalky minerality and good grip. It fermented with 100% full clusters and matured in oak foudre for 18 months. 5,280 bottles were filled in October 2020.

In the Gualtallary sub-district of Tupungato. 4,500 ft in elevation. Fortuna Terrae translates to 'luck of the land'. In 2019 Tupungato had 20–60% less precipitation and, combined with a cool vintage, yields were lower than normal. Fruit was pristine. Fermented in 225- and 500-litre oak barrels for 16 days. Barrels were on rollers so that the fermenting wine could be rotated to break up the cap. 25–30 °C fermentation. Aged 18 months in barrel. TA 6.85 g/l, pH 3.59. Similar to the Mundus Bacillus Terrae but with a weightier structure. Black cherry and blackberry. Fresh, bright acid and a spicy, woody character. The structure is higher tannin than the Mundus Bacillus, fine and sandy, very textural. Spicy cinnamon and a minerally, ferrous quality to the finish. (SCJ)

The 2019 Malbec Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae is made with grapes from parcel 6 of the Adrianna Vineyard, Uco Valley, planted in Gualtallary at a height of 4,400 feet and aged for 18 months in new and second use French barrels. The pure, intense and precisely judged nose offers delicate fruit such as sweet and sour cherry alongside hints of lavender and violet and faint herbal aromas. It's relaxed and juicy on the palate with subtle, finely grained tannins and a little chalk. The finish is elongated by fruity flavors. The year helped with the nuanced freshness in this Malbec.