El Enemigo Malbec 2022

El Enemigo Malbec is made by Bodega Aleanna in Mendoza, the partnership of historian Adrianna Catena and winemaker Alejandro Vigil, with the aim of showing the character of often overlooked Mendoza terroir. It is led by Malbec with Cabernet Franc and a little Petit Verdot, grown at altitude in the foothills of the Andes where intense sunlight ripens the fruit fully while cold nights and a wide diurnal range preserve acidity, colour and aromatic freshness. The stony alluvial soils drain freely and concentrate the fruit. The wine spends fifteen months in large oak foudres, whose low surface-to-volume ratio allows gentle oxygenation that softens tannins and integrates the fruit without heavy oak flavour. Farming is sustainable. The colour is deep violet-tinged red. The nose opens with violet and wild herbs over a juicy core of blackberry and plum, with black pepper and a cocoa edge. The palate is smooth and full at 13.5%, with fine, ripe tannins, fresh acidity and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted ahead. It pairs well with grilled red meat and mushroom dishes.