Bonarda La Esperanza
2020
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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A deep, stony, mineral bonarda with red cherries, blue fruit, graphite and some grilled herbs. Tight and juicy on the palate with firm but resolved tannins and a long, linear finish. Lovely austerity here
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The 2020 Bonarda is a blend featuring 15% Cabernet Franc and originates from El Mirador in Rivadavia and Gualtallary in the Uco Valley. It underwent a 15-month aging process in used foudres. A purple hue. The nose offers notes of raspberry and blackberry, combined with nuances of ashes and blood orange. Dry and juicy, the palate flows with a supple texture and fine-grained, light tannins that linger on the black fruit flavors. This represents a contemporary style of Bonarda.
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Despite having similar alcohol levels and acidity and freshness parameters, the 2020 Bonarda comes through as riper than the 2019 I tasted next to it. It reveals some earthy tannins and a faint rusticity, inherent to the variety.
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