2008 Malbec Adrianna
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Tasting notes
(includes 6% viognier and 2% cabernet franc; the crop level here was well under a ton of fruit per acre): Bright medium ruby. Fascinating nose melds crushed blackberry, violet, flinty minerality and a whiff of game; a bit like Hermitage! Utterly silky in the mouth, but with crisp, harmonious acidity giving cut and lift to the cassis and green fig flavors. Finishes with smooth, substantial, building tannins and a palate-staining kirsch flavor. Winemaker Alejandro Vigil adds back 20% to 30% of the stems to his top bottlings. From a cool vineyard at 4,725 feet where afternoon temperatures rarely exceed 86 degrees, according to Vigil.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2008 Adrianna Vineyard Malbec also spent 18 months in 100% new French barriques. It is a similar purple/black in color, with an expressive bouquet of sandalwood, exotic spices, incense, mineral, black cherry, and black raspberry. Broader on the palate than the Nicasia cuvee, it displays serious extraction, great depth of flavor, complexity, and impeccable balance. This loaded, lengthy effort will evolve for at least 5-7 years and offers a drinking window extending from 2014 to 2028. There is no let up in quality at Catena Zapata, where Nicolas Catena remains in charge, assisted by his daughter, Dr. Laura Catena. The new releases include two white wines. Importer: Winebow, Inc., Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620
About the producer
Bodega Catena Zapata has been instrumental both in the development of fine wine production in Argentina and in realising the full potential of the Malbec grape.