2020 Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard 'Mundus Bacillus Terrae' Malbec 750ml

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Awards, Ratings & Reviews

98/100 — Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux · 2020 Vintage · Tasted: Jul 2023
When to drink: 2026 to 2040

98/100 — Tim Atkin MW · 2020 Vintage · Tasted: Feb 2023

97/100 — James Suckling · 2020 Vintage · Tasted: Feb 2022
“Fascinating nose of blue flowers, blueberries, sea shells, moss and lemon grass. It’s medium-bodied with ultra-fine, silky tannins. So fresh and elegant with bright, saline character. Still a little reserved. Try after 2024.”

97/100 — Patricio Tapia, Descorchados · 2020 Vintage · Tasted: Jan 2023
“According to winemaker Alejandro Vigil, the name Mundus Bacillus comes from the bacterial world that exists in that small 1.4-hectare piece of vineyard, Lot 3 of the Adrianna Vineyard, in the northern Uco Valley, 1,400 meters above sea level. The symbiosis of this molecular world with the roots in a soil that has a strong calcareous component can be clearly seen in the texture of this red—in its firm, rough tannins and the chalky sensation on the palate that the calcium carbonate tends to give. The aromas are less floral than Adrianna's other single vineyards (River, Fortuna), and here's there's an earthy component that makes it more complex and intriguing. It has the acidity of a mountain wine, despite coming from a very warm year, which could have diminished its impact. But that wasn't the case. This is a malbec very much in the style of wines that come from calcareous soils, with a lot of grip, a lot of verticality. An excellent exercise and a tremendous result for a year that wasn't exactly generous in sharp or refreshing wines—the kind we at Descorchados like.”

97/100 — Falstaff · 2020 Vintage · Tasted: Jan 2023
“Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. On the nose, dark fruits of the forest, blackberries, tart cherries, floral nuances, rose petals, nougat, subtle hints of oak and herbal savouriness. Taut and tightly meshed on the palate, chocolate notes and pleasant fruit expression, plums, vivid, supporting tannins, and a mineral finish. A straightforward, seamless style.”

97/100 — Revista Adega · 2020 Vintage · Tasted: Apr 2025
“Tinto elaborado exclusivamente a partir de uvas Malbec provenientes de uma seleção de cerca de 1,4 hectare do vinhedo Adrianna, cultivado em solos com alto teor de calcário, em Gualtallary (vale do Uco). Fermenta parte em tanques de concreto (50% em cachos inteiros) e parte em foudres, com posterior estágio de 15 a 18 meses em barris de carvalho francês. Repleto de frutas vermelhas e negras maduras no ponto certo, seguidas de notas florais, de ervas e de especiarias doces, que se confirmam no palato, tudo em meio a uma acidez refrescante e taninos tensos e de textura de giz. Amplo, suculento e muito fluido, tem final cheio e profundo, com toques de amoras, de cassis, de violetas, de alcaçuz, de grafite e terrosos. Está ótimo agora e tem tudo para ficar ainda melhor nos próximos 20 anos. Álcool 14%.”

97/100 — Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate · 2020 Vintage · Tasted: Dec 2022
When to drink: 2023 to 2031

96/100 — Alexandre MA · 2020 Vintage · Tasted: Jul 2023

96/100 — Gisondi on Wine · 2020 Vintage · Tasted: Oct 2023
“Catena bottles three wine of parcella malbecs from Adrianna Vineyard, located at 1450m elevation in the renowned district of Gualtallary in the Uco Valley. Mundus Bacillus Terrae is from a 1.4 hectare parcel rich in limestone and marine deposits. This is the most expensive in the range and also the most distinctive. It has restrained fruit, led by a savoury, earthy complexity of humus, peat, and menthol alongside macerated blackberries and dried lavender. It continually evolves in the glass and the seamless structure suggests this has at least a decade ahead of it. The palate is dense and mouth coating, with a remarkable concentration to the fruit without sacrificing any freshness. An impressive wine, but effortlessly so.”

95/100 — The Wine Independent · 2020 Vintage · Tasted: Aug 2023
When to drink: 2024 to 2042

About This Wine

Mundus Bacillus Terrae is named for the “elegant microbes of the earth,” a reference to the rhizobacteria in the limestone-rich, well-drained soils of this 1.4-hectare parcel in Adrianna Vineyard. The parcel sits at around 4,560 ft (1,390 m) elevation in Gualtallary, Tupungato, in the Uco Valley of Mendoza.

About the Producer

Founded in 1902 by Italian Nicola Catena, Catena Zapata is Argentina’s oldest winery still owned by its founding family and is known for its role in advancing Malbec and high-altitude terroirs in Mendoza. Fourth-generation vintner Dr. Laura Catena leads the winery and the Catena Institute of Wine, founded in 1995, which collaborates with universities and shares research through peer-reviewed publications. Today, the Catena sisters, Laura and Adrianna, lead efforts focused on old vines and ungrafted, massale Malbec heritage.

Specifications

• Vintage: 2020
• Grape Variety: 100% Malbec
• Region: Gualtallary / Tupungato / Uco Valley / Mendoza / Argentina
• Vineyard / Geo info: Adrianna Vineyard parcel size 1.4 hectares; altitude 4,560 ft (1,390 m)
• Production Attributes: Organically farmed, Biologique
• Alcohol: 14%
• Total Acidity: 7.4 g/L
• Acidity pH: 3.6
• Closure: Cork