2004 Catena Zapata Malbec Adrianna Magnum

The single-vineyard 2004 Malbec "Adrianna Vineyard" from the Gualtallary district is inky purple with aromas of wood smoke, pencil lead, game, black cherry, and blackberry liqueur. Opulent, full-flavored, yet remarkably light on its feet, this medium to full-bodied Malbec is all about pleasure. It will certainly evolve for a decade but is hard to resist now. It is a fine test of one's ability to defer immediate gratification..

From a late-ripening vineyard in Tupungato planted at an altitude of 4,725 feet) Saturated bright ruby. Brooding aromas of blackberry, black raspberry, dark chocolate, violet and pepper. Wonderfully lush and creamy, with uncommon intensity to its sweet blackberry fruit; some superripe notes are leavened by peppery lift on the very long and vibrant back end, which features wonderfully suave tannins and restrained sweetness. This is more high-pitched today than the Nicasia Vineyard bottling but perhaps a bit less harmonious; with 24 hours in the recorked bottle, though, it only gained in vibrancy.