2016 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Gran Enemigo Cabernet Franc 2016 is a unique, intense little pearl. Mixed with 15% Malbec, it is all open expression, delivering violets, sour cherry and blood with wet stone and hints of herb alongside subtle notes of arugula and dry flowers. In the mouth, it’s extremely energetic, the tannins filling out the profile and marshaling the flow with just the right measure of chalk. Lingers comfortably at the back of the mouth without losing its equilibrium. Outstanding.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
85% Cabernet Franc, 15% Malbec. Vines from Catena vineyard, probably planted in the 1990s. Made by Alejandro Vigil, the winemaker of Catena, rock-star winemaker of Argentina. Adrianna Catena (Laura's younger sister) is with him for this project. Much bigger and rounder than French Cabernet Franc! With tannins and freshness. Floral and juicy. Ready and polished. Inky flavours with great charm but I wouldn’t mind just a little more freshness. (JR)
The nose of the 2016 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard transported me back to the classical wines from the Bordeaux of yesteryear, with austerity and with no room for sweetness or creamy texture. This is about chalk and umami, salty and tasty, with the clout and wilderness of Gualtallary; its electric freshness and fine tannins; the expression of Cabernet Franc (with some Merlot) in the poor, stony and limestone-rich soils from the high-altitude vineyards; and the intensity this altitude provides, as there is a strong impact from the light in the grapes. But the one thing that I liked the most about this 2016 was its balance and the way it feels light but has tremendous concentration and power, light on its feet with masses of inner strength. It's nuanced and complex, even if it's terribly young. With time in the glass, it developed notes of orange peel that spoke of freshness, and the palate is sharp and direct, with symmetry and precision. This is approachable now but should live forever in bottle. 2,500 bottles produced.
About the producer
El Enemigo has quickly become one of Argentina’s top wine estates, specialising in high-altitude, single-vineyard Cabernet Franc cuvées and Bordeaux blends. They also produce a range of single-vineyard cuvées from the lesser-known variety Bonarda.