Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard - Gualtallary Cabernet Franc Uco Valley 2018

Tim Atkin

The richest, darkest and most profound of the Gran Enemigo blends, this classic assemblage of Cabernet Franc and 15% Malbec is inky, intense and alluringly scented, with subtle wood, blackberry, black olive and wild thyme flavours and racy, chalky acidity.

Decanter World Wine Awards

Falstaff

A touch of iron oxide meets brisk,߭bright, vivid red fruit: cranberry, red߭cherry, even raspberry. There is a߭translucency to this that lets the߭purity of the red fruit sing. The body߭is light, exquisitely perfumed and߭aromatic, made all the more vivid by߭lively fresh-ness. The tannins are߭silky, the finish is as fragrant as the߭opening. AK߭

Patricio Tapia - Descorchados

One way to introduce this Gran Enemigo Blend is that it's a selection of the best that this winery can offer from its red vineyards, distributed between Agrelo and Gualtallary—the first in the Luján de Cuyo D.O., and the second, in the extreme north of the Uco Valley. All of the varieties come from Gualtallary, and 50% is malbec. After 15 months in foudres, this is a wine that still seems very young—full of firm, wild tannins and ripe red fruits everywhere. Get some lamb in the oven or leave this wine in the cellar for five years.

Wine Enthusiast

Aromas of red plum and dried herbs blend with small doses of vanilla. Made with grapes sourced from Gualtallary, it's full bodied and energetic, with a herbaceous character demanding attention on the vibrant palate. Plum, blackberry and green bell pepper join oak spice. It finishes with notes of tobacco.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

One of the finest and more regular wines from Argentina, the 2018 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard is austere and shows restraint, with great freshness and gobsmacking balance and complexity, but in the context of the 2019 and 2020 vintages that I also tasted next to it, it comes thorough as slightly less refined but still with 13.5% alcohol and with very good parameters of acidity and freshness. It has a medium-bodied palate and a rare combination of power and elegance, with very fine, chalky tannins. It's very long and has a salty and tasty finish. It matured in centenary oak foudres for 15 months. 9,000 bottles were filled in July 2019.

There are some new wines at El Enemigo, a project from Alejandro Vigil and Adrianna Catena that does not stop growing. They produce an impressive 1.2 million bottles between all the ranges. They are also going to plant some more vineyards with Chardonnay.

James Suckling

Aromas of violets, almond blossoms, wild blackberries, blueberries, ash, tea leaves and nutmeg. It’s medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and finely knit tannins. Mineral, tea-like edge, supporting a fresh core of blue fruit. Refined and subtle, yet comforting. Try from 2023.