Despite a warmer vintage, Gran Enemigo 2020 stays cool, elegant, and full of life. This high-altitude blend—led by Malbec, Cab Franc, and Cab Sauvignon—is textured and fresh, with juicy dark fruit, fine tannins, and no hint of heaviness. Aged in old foudres, it's beautifully balanced and already earning praise, with Wine Advocate giving it 95 points.

The Wine Advocate | RP 95
Published: Nov 30, 2022
Drink: 2023-2032

Tasting three vintages, I see great regularity in the blended Gran Enemigo. The 2020 Gran Enemigo was produced with 50% Malbec, 25% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot from Gualtallary, going back to the usual blend. The wine shows exceptionally well, as some wines can show a bit ripe and sometimes fatigued in this warmer year, but this is fresh and lively, expressive and with a solid palate with restraint and balance and no excess. The texture is velvety from very fine tannins, and there's juicy fruit with no concession for sweetness. It has similar parameters to the other vintages I tasted next to it, with 13.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.4. This is still very young. 24,000 bottles were filled in July 2021.

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. 

Enemigowines.com

Vineyard
Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot: Gualtallary, Tupungato, 1470 masl / 4,822 ft – High density vineyard.

Type of Soil
Malbec: Sandy Loam, with limestone base, rocky soil.
Cabernet Franc: Calcareous, rocky soil
Petit Verdot: Sandy
Cabernet sauvignon: Deep sandy soil.

Vinification
Fermentation in barrel, average temperature: 22°C. Cold maceration for 5 days. Average maceration 23 days. 30% whole bunch. French oak barrels 2nd and 3rd use. 5 different harvest times (1,5 month between the first and the last one).

Technical Specs

Alcohol: 13.5% ABV
Closure: Natural Cork
Harvest: 2020
Grape Varieties: 50% Malbec, 25% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Vineyard: Selected high-altitude vineyards in Gualtallary, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina Elevation: Approximately 1,470 metres above sea level
Soil: Sandy loam, rocky and calcareous soils, with limestone influence
Vinification: Fermentation in French oak barrels, with a five-day cold maceration and approximately 23 days of total maceration; around 30% whole bunches
Ageing: 15 months in approximately 100-year-old large oak foudres
Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil
Founders: Alejandro Vigil and Adrianna Catena
Brand: El Enemigo
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Appellation: Gualtallary, Tupungato, Uco Valley
Classification: Premium Bordeaux-style red blend

Serving Temperature: Serve at 16–18°C to highlight the wine’s dark fruit, herbal complexity, and balanced structure.
Decanting: Decant for 45–60 minutes before serving to allow the wine to open up and reveal its aromatic layers.
Food Pairing: Excellent with grilled ribeye, slow-roasted lamb, beef short ribs, venison, chargrilled vegetables, mushroom dishes, and aged hard cheeses.