Bonarda La Esperanza
2018
El Enemigo, “the enemy”. The struggle that most defines us in our lives is the one that we wage with our selves. We are all our own worst enemies. This is the credo behind the name on the label. The wines of El Enemigo are enigmatic, charismatic, and verging on iconoclastic. In that way the wines reflect their maker, Alejandro Vigil, an almost Picasso-like personality. “Ale”, as he is known, is the head winemaker at the iconic Bodega Catena Zapata, but he has many loves. He consults,...
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Blackberry, red-plum and graphite on the nose, as well as herbal and smoky notes. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm tannins. Fleshy texture on the palate with structure and a ink-like feel. Savory finish. Hints of chocolate at the end. Try after 2023.
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La Esperanza is part of winemaker Alejandro Vigil's attempt to restore importance to the old bonarda vines that are planted in eastern Mendoza. Under the shadow of Uco or Luján de Cuyo, this is a warm area with generous soils that yield large quantities of grapes. But by managing the vineyard, restricting volumes, and harvesting earlier, they can obtain bonarda like this one, with a firm tannic structure and tense acidity as well as the variety’s classic lush and generous black fruit flavors.
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The unusually pale and aromatic 2018 Bonarda Single Vineyard La Esperanza was produced with grapes from San Martín in the east of Mendoza on deep, sandy and clay soils that seem to deliver great finesse. It's only 13.5% alcohol and with very good freshness, to the point that it made it feel a bit like Pinot Noir. It's floral and expressive, elegant and soft, with some developed flavors and aromas. It's juicy, long and nicely textured with very round tannins. Quite surprising, awesome even! 6,200 bottles were filled in June 2019 after 12 months in an ancient oak foudre.
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