2015 El Enemigo Cabernet Franc Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard Gua
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Tasting notes
Powerful places tend to mark wines in a stronger way than even the vintage conditions or the grape variety, and that seems to be the case with the 2015 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard. But of course there are elements of both the year—slightly warmer and riper than 2016—and the grape—mostly Cabernet Franc with some 20% Malbec, which is what is planted in the vineyard, with the logical variations depending on the yields of each grape in a given vintage. This is a little more direct than the 2016, powerful and concentrated but balanced and fresh, and it has a little more tannin. As I said, this is more about the high altitude and austere place with all the components in great harmony. You do not notice the alcohol, concentration of tannins or acidity, as it's all very integrated. All these wines are not about fruit but about soils, about rocks. 3,000 bottles produced.
Critic scores
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Bright dark ruby. Nose dominated by dark berries, licorice and pungent graphite minerality; much tighter and less expressive today than the El Cepillo Cabernet Franc. A step up in texture and sweetness but still in a fairly compact style, with its dark berry, violet and bitter chocolate flavors showing an alluring carnal quality. With its strong element of salty minerality and firm tannic spine, this wine begs for at least a couple more years of patience. But even today it's seamless.
This is such a fabulous red with ripe berries, blackberries and hints of dried mushrooms and black tea. Full body and crystalline tannins that carry the wine on for minutes. Energetic and takes off like a rocket. Extreme, great wine. Drink or hold.
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.