WINE ADVOCATE 99 POINTS - "As difficult as it is to pick a winner between the Gualtallary and El Cepillo bottlings, the 2021 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard gets my nod as the supreme example of the Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard Cabernet Francs. It hails from a plot planted on calcareous rocky soils in 1995 with 10,000 vines per hectare, fermented with 40% whole bunches in barrique and underwent a 15-month élevage in 100-year-old foudre. Opening with a brooding, inward and quietly perfumed nose, its aromatic profile ceaselessly expands to encompass all manner of herbal and floral complexity, combining simmering intensity with supreme elegance. The palate follows suit with a rich, silky, refined and gently succulent energy, releasing into a graceful, dense and glacial conclusion that gives equal measure to vertical energy and horizontal richness. The finish slowly but steadily builds upon itself, revealing shimmering acidity and ultra-refined tannins with increased aeration. There is no better example of Cabernet Franc's suitability in the Uco Valley, a match rendered here with incomparable finesse, depth and complexity."
Cabernet Franc is enjoying a renaissance in quality with passionate winemakers moving it out of the "supporting role" and into the limelight. There is much to celebrate, as a great Cabernet Franc can offer plenty of power, but with a greater finesse in the aromas and elegance in texture compared to most Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cheval Blanc in St. Emilion used to stand alone as the flag-bearer of what great Cabernet Franc could be, but ,Alejandro Vigil and Adrianna Catena are obsessively proving that Argentina's Cabernet Francs will take on the world. Adrianna is the daughter of Nicolas Catena Zapata, founder of the famous eponymous Argentine winery for which Alejandro has thrived as winemaking director. Cabernet Franc is a personal passion for them, and with their own El Enemigo label, also known as Bodega Aleanna, they have been making world class wines from the variety. In fact, they make six wines based on it. Clearly, Alejandro and Adrianna are accomplishing what they set out to do.
85% CABERNET FRANC & 15% MALBEC
Cabernet Franc is enjoying a renaissance in quality with passionate winemakers moving it out of the "supporting role" and into the limelight. There is much to celebrate, as a great Cabernet Franc can offer plenty of power, but with a greater finesse in the aromas and elegance in texture compared to most Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cheval Blanc in St. Emilion used to stand alone as the flag-bearer of what great Cabernet Franc could be, but ,Alejandro Vigil and Adrianna Catena are obsessively proving that Argentina's Cabernet Francs will take on the world. Adrianna is the daughter of Nicolas Catena Zapata, founder of the famous eponymous Argentine winery for which Alejandro has thrived as winemaking director. Cabernet Franc is a personal passion for them, and with their own El Enemigo label, also known as Bodega Aleanna, they have been making world class wines from the variety. In fact, they make six wines based on it. Clearly, Alejandro and Adrianna are accomplishing what they set out to do.
85% CABERNET FRANC & 15% MALBEC
