Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
A refined, medium-to full-bodied red with aromas of blackberry, bitter chocolate, violets, tar and tobacco. Ultra fine tannins, interwoven with silky and seamless layers of dark berries. So elegant and fine. Long. Serious and focused with fantastic depth and structure. Drink or hold.
The 2017 Gran Enemigo is half Malbec and 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot from Gualtallary, Uco Valley, along with a 10% dash of Petit Verdot from Luján de Cuyo. It was 30% fermented with stems and aged in French barrels and foudres. The complex nose delivers notes of plum jam, black tea, mint and herbs combined with redcurrants and notes from the aging process such as cedar and ash. In the mouth, it’s intense with a vigorous flow and firm, tannic structure in which the freshness and concentration help to create an easygoing but substantial style before the lengthy finish, which is full of nuanced aromas. Drinking window: 2021 - 2037
The blend 2017 Gran Enemigo was produced with 50% Malbec, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot from Gualtallary and feels very creamy and undeveloped, ripe without excess but reflecting the warmer and drier year. The blend of grapes has produced a rounder and mellower wine, gentler but still with a very low pH and very good acidity with a dry, chalky-driven finish. This is more open and approachable than the rest of Gran Enemigo from this vintage. It fermented completely destemmed in barrel—it's the only Gran Enemigo that was destemmed, as the rest were 100% full clusters in 2017—and matured in ancient oak foudre.
