Malbec
2019
$31.49*
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 joint venture between Adrianna Catena, daughter of Nicolas Catena, and Alejandro Vigil, Chief Winemaker at Bodega Catena Zapata, El Enemigo Malbec is produced at Piedemonte al Sur, located in the southern foothills of Uco Valley, Mendoza. The facility is named for the unique aspect of Mendoza's high altitude winemaking region nestled in the foothills of the Andes Mountains.
Rich and concentrated, it offers aromas of black fruit, cherry and dark berryfruit on the nose followed in the palate by a full-bodied wine with flavors of spice, blackberry, black cherry, pepper and a slight floral character. The finish is elegant and lengthy.
The 2019 Malbec contains 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, all from the Uco Valley, and was aged for 15 months in foudres. Purple in color. The complex nose presents fresh plum with hints of sour cherry, herbs and aromas from the aging process. In the mouth, it’s a little chalky with mild freshness and refined tannins. A relaxed, delicate, rewarding wine.
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This has pretty aromas of blackberries, ripe blueberries, dark chocolate, walnuts and crushed stones. Hints of citrus zest. It’s medium-bodied with fine, fleshy tannins. Textured and velvety with a solid core of dark fruit.
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It's always interesting to compare different vintages of the same wine, in this case the 2019 Malbec with the following two years. It has 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot in the blend and only 13.5% alcohol while retaining very good acidity. The grapes were sourced from Gualtallary and were co-fermented. This is varietal with an herbal twist, serious, subtle and mineral with austerity and elegance, reflecting a very balanced and good year. It's medium-bodied, nicely textured and has a chalky texture from the limestone soils. 35,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2020 after 15 months in ancient oak foudres. Superb!
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