Gran Enemigo 2021

Gran Enemigo is the top wine of the El Enemigo project, run by winemaker Alejandro Vigil alongside Adrianna Catena in Mendoza, Argentina. It is a blend built around Cabernet Franc, filled out with Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Mendoza sits high at the foot of the Andes, where altitude brings strong sunlight by day and cold nights, a wide diurnal swing that slows ripening and preserves acidity and aromatic detail. The high-elevation sites here often have limestone and stony alluvial soils, which lend the savoury, mineral grip that marks this style. The wine spends 15 months in foudres, large old oak vessels that allow slow, gentle oxygen exchange and soften the tannins without adding obvious oak flavour. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows red and dark berries, dried herbs, tobacco and a graphite, earthy edge typical of cool-grown Cabernet Franc. The palate is full and structured, with firm but fine-grained tannins and a long, savoury finish. Decant an hour ahead and serve at 17 degrees in a large glass. It is built for roast and grilled red meats and hard cheeses.