2014 Gran Enemigo
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Tasting notes
I don't really know why, but the 2014 Gran Enemigo showed much better than the 2013. The year was certainly not better; it was quite challenging and slightly warmer, but the wine feels fresher. There is a high percentage of Malbec in this vintage, almost half of the blend, and they also included more parts of the vineyard in addition to the five-hectare plot where there is some variability in the soils, which perhaps increases complexity of the blend. There are three harvests—one of only Malbec, then the rest of the varietals with some more Malbec and then a third one of only Malbec. Thus, there are also three fermentations, and there are five wines since the second and third harvests are fermented in two parts, one with 100% full clusters and the other with 30% full clusters. These five different wines are later blended together. Fermentation is in used 225-liter barriques, and the élevage is in old 2,000-liter foudres. This has to be the best harvest of the Gran Enemigo blend. 24,000 bottles produced.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
(13.9% alcohol; from vines at an altitude of 4,822 feet): Bright, deep ruby. Aromas of cassis, blackberry, licorice and bitter-chocolate oak show a medicinal reserve and suggest a tight wine. Then surprisingly plush and pliant if medicinal in the mouth, offering little in the way of easy sweetness to its very dark flavors of blackberry, violet, bitter chocolate and licorice. Finishes firmly tannic and quite long. This very young and promising blend will need time in bottle to harmonize.
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.
Product details
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec/ Auxerrois / Cot, Merlot
Red
Dry