2021 El Enemigo "Gran Enemigo - Gualtallary" Cabernet Franc Mendoza

Professional Reviews

Notes

El Enemigo was born in 2009 as a passion project between two friends and has since developed an almost cult-like following that is steady and growing. The minds behind the winery are Adrianna Catena, daughter of the legendary Nicolás Catena, and Alejandro Vigil, chief winemaker at Bodega Catena Zapata and former head of the soil division at Argentina’s Wine Institute. The idea for El Enemigo took shape after a celebration honoring Nicolás Catena in London. While walking along the River Thames, Adrianna and Alejandro discussed their vision: to create a wine that honors tradition while challenging convention. The name El Enemigo—Spanish for “the enemy”—reflects their desire to confront the status quo. Inspired by a shared love for Bordeaux, their goal was to produce cool-climate, high-altitude Cabernet Franc. Today, winemaking is split between the Catena family winery in the Uco Valley and Alejandro’s personal barrel room. At the heart of their portfolio are the Gran Enemigo wines. The standout is the Gualtallary Cabernet Franc, sourced from a single vineyard located at just over 4,800 feet in the Uco Valley. Blended with 15% Malbec, the wine is fermented in concrete tanks with 40% whole-cluster inclusion. It undergoes an extended post-fermentation maceration, with about 40 days before pressing. Aging takes place in concrete for 15 months, preserving the wine’s vibrant and elegant character. Distinctive and compelling, this is a must-try expression of Argentine winemaking.