Region and Vineyards
The Adrianna Vineyard lies in Gualtallary, Tupungato (Uco Valley, Mendoza) at roughly 4,900 feet (≈1,490 m). The extreme altitude brings intense sun and wide diurnal swings that slow ripening, preserve acidity and heighten aromatic complexity. Mundus Bacillus Terrae comes from a tiny 1.4-hectare parcel planted in 1992 and trained to VSP on a north-western exposure. Soils are calcareous with silty-loam, strewn with limestone and ancient marine deposits that drain rapidly and naturally limit vigour, concentrating colour, aroma and tannin.
Much of Gualtallary's reputation rests on these high, cold, limestone-influenced terraces that yield reds combining mountain brightness with a subtly saline, chalk-derived texture. The Catena Institute's decades of research into microclimates, soils and vineyard ecology has mapped Adrianna in detail, illustrating how carbonate-rich horizons and microbial life shape wine style: lifted florals, vivid acidity and a firm, fine-boned tannic frame.
Winemaking
Mundus Bacillus Terrae 2021 is 100% Malbec, harvested in the first week of April. After a brief cold settling, alcoholic fermentation lasts about 16 days at 25-30 °C, with gentle pumpovers. Maceration spans 8-13 days, followed by full malolactic fermentation. The aim is clarity of fruit and site rather than extraction for its own sake, capturing Gualtallary's purity and tension.
Élevage totals 24 months in French oak using a thoughtful mix of 225 L barriques, 500 L barrels and 2,200 L foudres, largely seasoned to avoid overt wood imprint. The wine then rests 24 months in bottle before release. Analytical figures for 2021 underline the style: 13.9% vol., pH 3.55, TA 7.3 g/L, RS 1.8 g/L—a profile that explains the interplay of concentration, brightness and chalky precision that defines this cuvée.
Tasting Notes
- Color: Deep violet-purple with inky highlights; youthful rim.
- Aroma: Black cherry, blackberry and blueberry layered with violet, lavender and crushed rock; hints of graphite, black tea and subtle spice.
- Palate: Sleek and concentrated yet buoyant; vibrant acidity and fine, powdery tannins carry dark fruits over a distinct limestone grip, finishing long, saline and beautifully composed.
Did you know?
"Mundus Bacillus Terrae"—Latin for "microbes of the earth"—pays homage to the rhizobacteria thriving in Adrianna's limestone layers. These microorganisms help vine roots withstand stress and absorb nutrients in this cold, arid, high-altitude environment. The Adrianna Vineyard is certified organic and is one of the world's most intensively studied vineyards, with ongoing research into soils, flora and fauna.
Wine Pairing Ideas
- Chargrilled ribeye with chimichurri: The wine's acidity and mineral line cut through richness while herbal notes echo the sauce's green lift.
- Lamb shoulder with rosemary and black olives: Dark fruit and savoury spice complement slow-cooked depth; firm tannins match the protein.
- Mushroom risotto with aged Parmigiano Reggiano: Umami and creamy textures meet the wine's chalky tannins and graphite nuance.
- Cocoa-rubbed venison loin: Bitter cocoa accents resonate with Malbec's dark-fruit core and refined structure.
