2021 Catena Zapata Adrianna River Malbec, Mendoza

The wine was closed and took time to take off in the glass, revealing a very elegant and subtle personality, with the silky texture of the very fine tannins, pristine aromas and flavors and a sense of harmony that was moving. It's powerful but extremely elegant in that rare combination of clout and energy, a wine of light, aerial, with some ethereal qualities, delicate and refined. This combines the cool place and high altitude, the cool year and the stony soils, to deliver a stunning Malbec that goes well beyond the variety. Bravo Drink Now - 2040

There is an usual stony austerity in the 2021 Adrianna Vineyard River, cropped from a cold year when the full clusters fermented in concrete with a slightly shorter maceration and an élevage in a 2,000-liter oak foudre and the rest in stainless steel. It has a moderate 13.4% alcohol with very high acidity (8.2!) and a low pH (3.37), incredible parameters of freshness.

100 points Luis Gutiérrez robertparker.com

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.

99 points jamessuckling.com

Catena Zapata Adrianna River Malbec from Mendoza is a remarkable single-vineyard wine that embodies the pinnacle of high-altitude Malbec from Argentina. This wine is sourced from the Adrianna Vineyard, specifically from the River Stones parcel, located at 4,757 feet above sea level in the Gualtallary subregion of the Uco Valley. The vineyard’s stony, alluvial soils and cool climate create a unique terroir that results in Malbec with exceptional minerality, complexity, and aging potential. Catena Zapata, led by the pioneering Catena family, is celebrated for its commitment to terroir-driven winemaking, and the Adrianna Vineyard is known as “South America’s Grand Cru.”

Winemaker Alejandro Vigil carefully crafts the Adrianna River Malbec with meticulous attention to detail. The grapes are hand-harvested and fermented using wild yeasts, with a portion undergoing fermentation in large French oak foudres. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels to add layers of complexity while preserving the freshness and purity of the fruit.

Aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant, and violet, along with hints of crushed stone and subtle spice. The palate is deep and refined, with flavors of dark fruit, cocoa, and a touch of graphite, supported by firm yet silky tannins and a vibrant acidity. The finish is long and mineral-driven, showcasing the Adrianna Vineyard’s unique character and the elegance of high-altitude Malbec.