Catena Zapata, Adrianna Vineyard, Mundus Bacillus Terrae, Malbec, Mendoza, 2016

Wine Advocate – 97 points

The 2016 Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae is from a cold and rainy El Nino vintage that broke the mold of typical Mendoza weather. The grapes were picked a bit later and achieved a slow, perfect ripening while retaining very good freshness. They used 50% full clusters in this cooler year. The wine was pressed before it finished fermenting (in concrete), and the juice-without skins, pips or stems-finished fermenting like a white in the foudre. The two bottles I tasted were both showing a bit dizzy, possibly from the recent bottling, with the aromatics coming and going, sometimes showing a little open. But the palate shows the core of acidity that lifts the wine and provides incredible freshness; the tannins are ultra refined, and there is great overall balance. Yields were lower, so they filled some 3,360 bottles. (Jun 2018)

James Suckling – 96 Points

Aromas of violets, blueberries and black licorice follow through to a full body with tight and restrained tannins and a lively acidity. An energetic and youthful wine. Can age wonderfully but exciting to taste now. (Mar 2018)