The famous Adrianna vineyard in Gualtallary is perhaps the most studied vineyard in the world and is Catena's finest vineyard for Malbec. The vineyard is situated at a respectable altitude of 1,480 meters. Only in this area (altitude and plot) can the Malbec vines optimally absorb nutrients, ensuring that this absolute grand cru among Adriannas is remarkably expressive and distinctive. Since 2011, a high-end Adrianna has been produced under the names Adrianna Mundus Bacillus, Terrae, Adrianna Fortuna Terrae, and Adrianna River Stones. This River Stones is a unique and very rare wine, produced in an extremely limited quantity. The River Stones comes from a small 2.6-hectare parcel of the Adrianna vineyard, which is covered with white oval stones and was once a riverbed. This special piece of vineyard therefore has exceptionally good drainage. The vineyard is situated at an altitude of 1366 meters, so it's warm during the day and cool at night. However, the white pebbles store the day's heat and slowly release it during the night, resulting in a very gradual warming and cooling. The wine was aged for 24 months in French oak. The stony soil makes this Malbec highly aromatic, rich, and delicate. This is a superb Malbec with beautifully soft tannins. It can be enjoyed young, but it can also be savored for decades. This is an absolute collector's item and exceptionally beautiful. Despite its high price, it's a mere pittance compared to expensive Bordeaux and Burgundies. The Adrianna Vineyard River Stones is consistently the freshest and most austere of the three single-plot bottlings from the Adrianna Vineyard on Gultallary. This Malbec fermented with approximately 70% full bunches, as it was harvested at three different times, with the first two being fermented full bunches and the last being destemmed. The nose is subtle, elegant, and nuanced; the grapes were picked quite early, resulting in a lively palate with almost citrus (blood orange) notes. A small percentage of the wine was aged in stainless steel. Irrigation was used, with only four irrigations this year, allowing for greater precision in the winemaking process, which is reflected in the wine's balance. It has very fine tannins, a very fine grain, and a dry, long, and flavorful finish. It is distinctly stony, true to the character of the site. Red fruit, structured and mineral. Bodega Catena Zapata is considered the flagship of Argentina's wineries. Robert Parke's statement is telling: "When all is said and done, Catena Zapata is the Argentina winery of reference, the standard of excellence."