July 2, 2024
Release of Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae Malbec 2020
The Catena Winery has played a pivotal role in elevating Argentine Malbec to world-class status, showcasing the immense potential of South American wines. With centuries of family tradition, a commitment to innovation, and a deep respect for the land, Catena Winery has produced some of the most acclaimed and sought-after wines globally. Catena has been pushing the boundaries of fine wine in Argentina and has been moving towards selecting certain sites or parcels that are unique.
It's no secret that the higher the elevation in Mendoza, the better the quality of the wine. The Adrianna Vineyard, often dubbed the "Grand Cru of South America," hosts a remarkable parcel called Fortuna Terrae, which translates to "luck of the land" in Latin. Planted in 1992 in Gualtallary, Fortuna Terrae sits at an altitude of 1,350 meters in the Uco Valley. This elevation is critical to the unique character of the wines produced here. The high altitude results in significant diurnal temperature variation, with warm days and cool nights. This temperature fluctuation allows the grapes to develop ripe, concentrated flavours while retaining a crisp acidity, contributing to the wine’s balance and complexity.
The wine is shaped by the deep loamy soils enriched with clay and limestone, which impart a distinct minerality to the wine. These soils, home to native grasses that prevent erosion and attract beneficial insects and wildlife, contribute to the vineyard's unique ecosystem. The high altitude and deep soils provide the wines with optimal acidity and delicate floral aromas.
Production is very limited, with only 5,400 bottles produced in the 2020 vintage, making it as rare and sought-after as Grand Cru Burgundy. The 2020 vintage truly reflects the distinctive terroir of the Adrianna Vineyard, with a backbone of chalky minerality complemented by a fresh, structured profile and an expressive nose. This vintage showcases the exceptional quality and character that high-altitude vineyards can impart to Malbec. Receiving an impressive 98 points, the 2020 Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae is one of the highest-scoring Malbecs to come from Argentina, highlighting its remarkable elegance and complexity.
Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae Malbec 2020
98 Points | Wine Advocate, Luis Gutiérrez
The 2020 Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae shows exceptionally well. It's still young and juicy with some baby fat that should get rendered with some more time in bottle. It's a little lighter, and the tannins gave it grip and a chalky limestone sensation. But the wine is very expressive, with purity, clean and precise and not showing any signs of coming from a warmer year like 2020. It finishes with the telltale violets from the great Malbec grape coated by chalky minerality. This plot behaves well in warmer years like this one. It was bottled in October 2021. 5,400 bottles produced.