American wine critic Jeb Dunnuck recently published his latest reviews of Argentine wines, awarding 100 points to two wines from Catena Zapata’s Adrianna Vineyard: Mundus Bacillus Terrae Malbec 2023 and White Stones Chardonnay 2024. With these two accolades, Adrianna Vineyard now counts 15 wines awarded perfect scores by different international critics, further cementing its position as the vineyard with the most 100-point wines in South America.
Two Wines, One Report, One Verdict
Jeb Dunnuck is a former contributing editor at Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate who built his own platform, JebDunnuck.com, into one of the most trusted references for serious collectors worldwide. Perfect scores are awarded sparingly. For two wines from the same vineyard —a Malbec and a Chardonnay— to receive 100 points in a single report is something that has not happened before in the history of Argentine wine.
White Stones 2024: High-Altitude Chardonnay
According to Virginie Boone of Jeb Dunnuck, Adrianna Vineyard White Stones Chardonnay 2024 is “simply outstanding in every way, as per usual”, describing it as: “Such a singular, world-class expression of cold-climate Chardonnay from the Tupungato Vineyard, it would be easy to take it for granted, but don’t. With no new oak and fermented on wild yeast, natural acidity is the star, a buoyant pillow on which the creamy, concise fruit is able to rest. Herbal, earthy complexity shines throughout, with a refined mouthfeel that extends and endures.” She recommends drinking from 2028 to 2044.
This is the first time White Stones has received 100 points from any international critic. White Bones, the other single-parcel Chardonnay located just 50 meters away, has held that distinction since James Suckling gave it 100 points for the 2018 and 2022 vintages. Together, the two perfect scores underscore the remarkable precision and distinct identity of Adrianna Vineyard’s Chardonnay parcels.
Mundus Bacillus Terrae 2023: South America’s Best Malbec
Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae 2023 received its highest-ever score from Dunnuck’s publication. The critic describes the wine as coming from a spot in the vineyard located at an “extremely extreme, at high altitude in poor soils and prone to frost.” Those conditions, she notes, produce higher concentrations of terpenes through a specific rhizobacteria identified in a soil study at the site — the microorganism that gives the wine its Latin name: Mundus Bacillus, meaning “elegant microbes of the earth.” In the glass, “a wider, rounder mouthfeel from concrete fermentation and aging, and 60-80% whole-cluster, contribute additional buzz and structure, though there’s a lovely juiciness of spiced berry on the midpalate. Wow.” Drink 2033–2043.
This is the Mundus Bacillus Terrae’s highest score ever from the Dunnuck publication. It follows the 100 points-score already awarded by Descorchados — South America’s most authoritative wine guide — for the same 2023 vintage. Two perfect scores, one vintage, two entirely independent international publications.
The Record No Other South American Vineyard Has Matched: 15 Perfect Scores Across Five Wines
With these two additions, the Adrianna Vineyard’s complete record of 100-point scores, stands as follows:
Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae Malbec: 2023 (Descorchados and Jeb Dunnuck), 2022 (Descorchados), 2021 (Jane Anson and Descorchados), 2019 (Jane Anson), 2011 (Falstaff).
Adrianna Vineyard River Malbec: 2021 and 2016 (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate), 2018 and 2017 (James Suckling).
Adrianna Vineyard White Bones Chardonnay: 2022 and 2018 (James Suckling).
Adrianna Vineyard White Stones Chardonnay: 2024 (Jeb Dunnuck).
Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae Malbec: 2012 (James Suckling).
No other vineyard in South America has accumulated anything close to this — not in total number, not in raneg of grape varieties, not in the diversity of critics and publications involved. Luis Gutiérrez, the Spanish critic for Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, put it plainly: “Words do not do justice to this beauty.” Fifteen perfect scores later, the case is only stronger.
Periodista, viajera full-time, especialista en Cultura, Negocios y Lifestyle.
