El Enemigo Gran Enemigo Chacayes Single Vineyard 2018 (750ML)

96 JS / 96 VM / 95 WA

Blueberries, blackcurrants, hot stones, tobacco leaves, dried lavender, walnuts and cracked pepper on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins. Dark and mineral character to this. Solid, compact cabernet franc. Firm and savory finish. Try from 2024.—James Suckling

The 2018 Cabernet Franc Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard Los Chacayes contains 15% Malbec and spent 18 months in foudres. Dark garnet red in the glass. The nose presents notes of herbs, mint and touches of blackberry and blackcurrant with hints of jam and ash. Broad and taut in the mouth with a vigorous flow and good volume and freshness. It’s full bodied with long-lasting flavor. A superlatively balanced wine that wears its heft and concentration lightly. - Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous Media

The 2018 Gran Enemigo Chacayes Single Vineyard is a blend of Cabernet Franc with some 15% Malbec mixed in the vineyard. It comes from younger vines than the ones from the classical zones, as the vines were planted in 2004 in The Vines of Mendoza complex at 1,100 meters in altitude. It fermented with indigenous yeasts and with some 50% whole clusters and aged in old oak foudres. Tasted next to the 2019 and 2020, this shows a little more body and tannin, coming through as slightly rustic. 7,200 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2019.-- Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate