Adrianna Mundus Bacillus Terrae 2021

From the mythical Adrianna vineyard, located in Gualtallary in the high Uco Valley, this wine comes from the Andean foothills of Mendoza, Argentina. Planted at a very high altitude, the vines benefit from a cool climate, strong diurnal temperature variations, and intense sunshine. The soils are poor, chalky, and stony, with a strong presence of stones covered with calcium carbonate, imparting a distinct mineral identity. This extreme, isolated, and well-ventilated terroir allows for slow grape maturation and produces wines of great precision.

From the Adrianna vineyard, this red wine is made from grapes harvested by hand into small crates, with meticulous sorting of the berries. Fermentation takes place in concrete tanks and large oak vats, with a variable proportion of whole clusters and gentle extractions to preserve the finesse of the calcareous terroir. Aging then occurs mainly in used French oak barrels and large oak vats, on lees, for several months, in order to preserve the purity of the fruit, the mineral tension, and the silky texture characteristic of this cuvée.

This wine reveals notes of ripe dark fruits, crunchy red fruits, and violet, complemented by spicy touches of pepper and clove, as well as delicate woody accents of cedar and vanilla. Fresher, more mineral nuances of chalk and graphite bring tension and depth. On the palate, the substance is precise, with a silky texture, vibrant acidity, fine but firm tannins, and a long, saline, and persistent finish.

Although Argentina is often considered part of the "New World," its winemaking tradition is much older than one might think, dating back to the Spanish colonization of the 16th century and later to Italian settlers. Unlike Chile, wine has long been an integral part of the country's culture. No other wine-producing country in the world made more progress in the latter years of the 20th century (in viticulture, oenology, and, of course, finance), which allowed the country's winemakers to raise quality levels and successfully establish an international export market. Argentina is now the fifth largest wine-producing country in the world, after France, Italy, Spain, and the United States. Viticulture is practiced primarily in the foothills of the Andes, particularly in Mendoza, where the desert landscapes and high altitudes combine to create aromatic and intensely flavorful wines. Some vineyards are even planted at altitudes of up to 3,000 meters! The terroir here is well-suited to the grape variety adopted by Argentina: the ubiquitous Malbec. Originally from Bordeaux, it is now the source of some of Argentina's most famous wines, characterized by their brilliance and intensity, with floral notes and dark fruit flavors. Other red varieties produced in Argentina include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bonarda, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Pinot Noir. Among white wines, the emblematic grape of the Argentine wine region is Torrontés, which yields a wine with a floral and tropical taste. The country also produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio. Today, Argentine wines are recognized worldwide for their full-bodied reds and as being of high quality.