El Enemigo
About El Enemigo
One of Argentina's most acclaimed wineries, El Enemigo has rocketed to superstardom in just a few short vintages. El Enemigo is a joint venture of two big names in Argentine wine - Catena's winemaker Alejandro Vigil and Dr Catena's younger daughter, Adrianna. These two were drawn together by a passion for creating more approachable and mineral-driven wines that are expressive of the nuances of Mendoza’s special terroirs.
Setting out to achieve what the pioneers of Napa Valley did in the 1970s and 1980s, and creating new wines in tiny quantities with the highest possible quality and critical acclaim, they are one now among the leading wine names in the whole of Argentina. The scores they are producing for their wines have already created a cult-like following amongst knowledgeable collectors.
The Wines
Catapulted to superstardom after achieving a perfect 100 points from The Wine Advocate with the Gran Enemigo Gualtallary 2013, the Gran Enemigo range leads the way for their exceptional portfolio. Consisting of four stunning Cabernet Franc-based wines, these wines strive to express the high-altitude Mendoza terroirs of Agrelo, Chacayes, El Cepillo and Gualtallary. Every cuvée represents a genuinely rare Andean gem, with no more than 900 cases of each produced.
Alongside the focus on Cabernet Franc wines, the duo also endeavour to rejuvenate the workhorse Argentinian varietal, Bonarda, and produce a range of exquisite single-vineyard wines.
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Wine Advocate (100)
I was really looking forward to tasting the 2013 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard since all of the previous vintages have been truly exceptional, and I wanted to see what it would be in a cooler year. The bottled wine contains perhaps 15% Malbec in the blend, and they will soon stop mentioning Cabernet Franc on the label. It fermented in 500-liter oak barrels with 50% of the Cabernet Franc and all of the Malbec and then matured in used oak foudres. It's very intense and powerful, but at the same time, there is a kind of lightness on the palate that makes if feel light on its feet but with great inner power. There is citrus acidity that makes it effervescent and electric. It has some 7.5 grams of acidity and a pH of 3.45, very healthy parameters. The peppery character appears after some time, giving it a Chinon-like twist, and it also reminds me of my favorite Bordeaux, Pomerol's Lafleur. This is definitely world-class and worth lying down, as it should develop further complexity in bottle. This is one of those wines where the only improvement I can think of is having magnums rather than bottles. Bravo!HK$4,280.00 -
1 x 75cl - Gualtallary 2011 – 98 points (WA)
1 x 75cl - Gualtallary 2012 – 98+ points (WA)
1 x 75cl - Gualtallary 2013 – 100 points (WA)
1 x 75cl - Gualtallary 2014 – 98 points (WA)
El Enemigo Gran Enemigo Gualtallary is a single vineyard (Gualtallary) production combining Cabernet Franc (dominant) and Malbec. After near misses in 2011 and 2012 in 2013 this amazing duo of winemakers produced the perfect wine in 2013. Wine Advocate critic Luis Gutiérrez said the 2013 reminded him of Pomorol’s Lafleur and was “definitely world class” and “worth laying down”. The 2013 has a drinking window to 2030 and all these wines will benefit from a decade of aging. Only around 3,000 bottles are produced, of this incredible wine (far less than wines like Screaming Eagle at 5,000-9,000).
The super high scores and tiny production mean that this is a lovely vertical for collectors or investors to own.HK$4,015.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (95)
We want to change perceptions of Torrontés,” says Alejandro Vigil, who sources this chiselled, almost Rheingau Riesling-like white from a seven-year-old pergola at 1,600 metres in Gualtallary. Mineral-edged, taut and refined, with lime and white flower notes, stony intensity and thrilling palate length.HK$2,108.00 -
James Suckling (92)
So subtle and perfumed with rice floor, lime and green melon aromas that follow through to a medium body with a wonderful center palate of tension, fruit and acidity. Drink now.HK$1,550.00HK$1,390.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 2020 Malbec also includes 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, sourced from Gualtallary in the Uco Valley. It was aged for 15 months in foudres, resulting in a purple color. The nose presents plums, violets, sage and bitter orange. Dry and juicy on the palate, it moves with a nimble flow lifted by balanced acidity. The apparent absence of tannins contributes to its voluminous and weightless mouthfeel.HK$1,150.00 -
James Suckling (93)
Exuberant red and blue fruit with a touch of stones and subtle spices. Juicy and firm on the palate, with a medium to full body and fresh, fine-grained tannins. Quite a long finish full of fruit. Drink or hold.HK$950.00HK$795.00 -
James Suckling (95)
This has rich, lemon and lightly grassy aromas in a very fresh, pure and focused mode. Some fresh-pastry and chalky notes, too. The palate is succulent and piercing. Some smooth, lees-derived texture sits nicely around the fresh, lemon flavor with pastry-like resolve. Impressive textural complexity really makes this special. Drink over the next six years.HK$1,280.00 -
Vinous (95)
The 2020 Sémillon El Enemigo from Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo hails from a 70-year-old vineyard. Aged with flor for a year before 15 months in barrels, it’s a golden yellow in the glass. On the nose there are notes of flint, honey, a little hazelnut and cashew nut underneath the flor-based aromas of white flowers and pear. In the mouth, however, it’s broad with a good, voluminous flow and a clove backdrop. Intense and creamy with a sustained layer of salinity, the stylistic acrobatics have opened up new possibilities for the varietal.HK$1,435.00 -
Vinous (95)
The 2021 Sémillon comes from a high-density vineyard in Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo. It aged for 15 months in used French oak barrels, 35% with a delicate veil of flor. Yellow in the glass with a golden sheen. The nose presents inviting honey, chamomile, cashew and hazelnut aromas against a creamed corn backdrop. The palate has a dry, compact character with a freshness provided by the flor contrasting the grape's natural volume. Ends with a nuanced finish of oak and nut.HK$950.00 -
James Suckling (94)
Nicely baked apples, ripe citrus, stones, warm spices and a touch of vanilla. Tense and medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with a saline touch to the lengthy, flavorful finish. Fresh, composed and very extensive. Drink or hold.HK$920.00HK$795.00