El Enemigo : El Enemigo Cabernet Franc 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for El Enemigo Cabernet Franc 2023

Tasting notes

Colour

The colour of this wine is deep, reflecting fine concentration and well-managed phenolic ripeness.

Nose

The nose reveals tangy red berry aromas, supported by noble herbaceous notes and a touch of pepper, delivering a bright, vertical aromatic expression.

Palate

The palate is medium-bodied yet perfectly balanced, driven by a high, vibrant acidity that structures the whole. Fine, precise tannins accompany flavours of red fruit, herbs and pepper, all extended by a mineral dimension that gives this Cabernet Franc from El Enemigo a lovely persistence and a sense of freshness on the finish.

Food and wine pairing

El Enemigo Cabernet Franc is an ideal match for red meats and game, particularly venison, whose structure and pronounced flavours find a natural echo in the wine's tension and fruit. It also pairs very well with grilled or roasted meats, where its freshness and peppery character provide a welcome contrast.

Serving and cellaring

El Enemigo Cabernet Franc 2023 shows its freshness and herbaceous character at their best when served slightly chilled, at around 16 to 18°C. Brief decanting can help the wine open up aromatically and soften its still youthful tannins.

A high-altitude Cabernet Franc from the limestone terroirs of Mendoza

The estate

El Enemigo, operated under the name Bodega Aleanna, was born in 2009 from the collaboration between historian Adrianna Catena and winemaker Alejandro Vigil, who now leads the estate. Located in the province of Mendoza in Argentina, the project stands out for its refined reading of high-altitude limestone terroirs, particularly in Gualtallary, and for its determination to make Cabernet Franc a variety in its own right rather than a mere complement to Malbec, traditionally the king of the region.

The vineyard

The grapes for this Argentinian wine come from vines grown at an altitude of around 1,470 metres in the Gualtallary sub-region. The deep, highly calcareous and stony soils encourage slow ripening and naturally high acidity, qualities sought after for the expression of Cabernet Franc in a semi-arid mountain climate.

The vintage

The 2023 vintage was marked by a late harvest, raising questions as to whether the grapes would reach optimal ripeness. Nevertheless, the conditions of the year produced dense, tense wines with particularly pronounced acidity.

Winemaking and ageing

The winemaking of El Enemigo Cabernet Franc 2023 relies on indigenous yeasts, with alcoholic fermentation carried out at a controlled temperature of 28°C for 22 days, followed by a 15-day infusion period with minimal movement. Ageing then continues for 15 months, divided between foudres, barrels and tanks, in a low-intervention approach intended to preserve the transparency of the terroir.

Grape varieties

This wine is made from a blend of Cabernet Franc and Malbec.