Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae 2018

Produced by Catena Zapata in Argentina’s Uco Valley, Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae 2018 comes from one of South America’s most celebrated high altitude vineyard sites. The Adrianna Vineyard lies at nearly 1,500 metres above sea level in Gualtallary, Mendoza, where intense mountain sunlight, cool Andean nights and limestone rich alluvial soils create wines of exceptional precision and ageing potential. The Fortuna Terrae parcel, meaning “luck of the earth”, is characterised by deeper soils with greater water retention and a mix of clay, limestone and ancient river deposits, producing a more structured and powerful expression of Malbec within the Adrianna range. The outstanding 2018 Argentine vintage delivered excellent balance, purity and tannin refinement.

Made from 100% Malbec, the grapes are harvested by hand and vinified with careful extraction to preserve purity of fruit and detailed vineyard expression. The wine is aged for around 16 to 18 months in French oak barrels, with a restrained proportion of new oak to support texture and complexity without dominating the terroir-driven profile. Still youthful and tightly coiled, the 2018 shows layered aromas of blackberry, black plum and violet alongside graphite, crushed herbs, cocoa and dark mineral notes. The palate is powerful yet refined, combining dense fruit concentration with vibrant acidity, polished tannins and a deep, structured core. Compared with the more linear River Stones bottling, Fortuna Terrae shows greater breadth and muscularity while retaining the hallmark freshness and precision of Adrianna Vineyard. It has outstanding long-term cellaring potential.