El Enemigo As Bravas Malbec 2018 is an extraordinary expression of high-altitude Malbec from El Cepillo in Argentina’s Uco Valley, crafted by acclaimed winemaker Alejandro Vigil. Sourced from ungrafted vines planted in limestone-rich soils at 1,300 metres, this rare 95% Malbec and 5% Semillón blend delivers remarkable depth and precision. Awarded 100 points by The Wine Advocate and James Suckling, it reveals layers of fresh black cherry, blackberry, violets, graphite, crushed stone, licorice and savoury spice. Dense yet remarkably weightless, with refined tannins, vibrant acidity and an exceptionally long finish, this is a collectible Argentine Malbec with outstanding ageing potential.

The Wine Advocate | RP 100
Published: May 01, 2025
Drink: 2026-2043

A contemporary classic by which to measure Argentine Malbec, the 2018 As Bravas Malbec is a spectacular wine in every regard. It derives from a 1.7-hectare parcel of ungrafted vines planted in Cordón El Cepillo's colluvial limestone soils and contains 5% co-planted Sémillon. It was fermented in concrete pools with 30% whole clusters and underwent a 23-day maceration before maturing for fully 64 months in a 100-year-old Italian foudre. From the first pour, there is a quietly commanding quality to the nose, which ceaselessly evolves around a dark-fruited core and myriad savory aromas of dried spices, charcoal, ash, licorice, fresh herbs and violets. The palate is seemingly endlessly layered, combining a dense, staining texture with sophisticated understatement and supreme elegance. It culminates with an incredibly long, impactful, concentrated and captivatingly weightless finish, further elongated by a sturdy graphite-laden core and ultra-refined tannins that continuously swell. This is a timeless wine of symphonic balance that should effortlessly deliver over two decades of drinking pleasure.

A collaboration between Catena's winemaking director Alejandro Vigil and Adrianna Catena, El Enemigo is among a select handful of reference-point producers in Argentina. The portfolio focuses on the Uco Valley with inclusions spanning Luján de Cuyo, Maipú and eastern Mendoza, each region containing reference-point bottlings rendered with unwavering clarity. The portfolio begins with an overperforming and affordable range of varietal wines, including a set of site-specific, old-vine Bonarda rarely produced with such detail and complexity. The superb Gran Enemigo range contains a transcendent expression of Torrontés and a beautiful red blend, culminating in a centerpiece quartet of single-vineyard Cabernet Francs. I found these firmly among Argentina's most exciting wines, cementing the variety's rightful place alongside Malbec as a vehicle for expressing the Uco Valley. Also at the top of the pyramid is the As Bravas range, which centers around a phenomenal Malbec bottling and a newly introduced Garnacha.

James Suckling | JS 100
Published: Mar 16, 2026

This is still so youthful and still embryonic like a baby. Huge depth of fresh black cherries, violet, fresh blackberries, peppercorn and crushed stones. A hint of cured meat, too. Incredibly pure, dense and bright, with symmetrical flesh and bones, and the fruit is quite well-contained, with a sharp thread of austere acidity ripping through the palate, leaving a long, ultra-pristine finish. A combination of huge density and austere brightness. Honest and stripped-down, with impeccable purity, tannin texture and tension. Can’t expect more from this radically severe malbec from 0.9 hectare, with 7% semillon. Drink or hold.

Wine Enthusiast | WE 97
Published: Jan 6, 2026

Crafted by winemaker Alejandro Vigil, this Malbec represents both the wonderful present and the exciting future of Argentine wines. Sourced from El Cepillo in the Uco Valley, it showcases a pure and refined interpretation of the place, highlighting honest, savory fruit flavors along with delicate hints of spice. The fresh palate offers endless, balanced energy and culminates in a long, complex finish. This wine will improve with age. Drink now through 2036. — Jesica Vargas

Enemigowines.com

Varietal
95% Malbec, 5% Semillón.

Vineyard
Cordón El Cepillo, San Carlos, 1300 m / 4265 ft
High density vineyard (8.000 plants per hectare). Size: 1.7 ha / 4.2 ac. Malbec on ungrafted vines.

Type of Soil
Colluvial with marine limestone on the bottom.

Vinification
Fermentation in concrete pools, average temperature: 26ºC (79° F), followed by an 80-day infusion with minimal movement. 100% whole bunch.

Aging
64 months in foudres, 1 year in bottle.

Alcohol: 13.5% vol.

Acidity / pH: 7.1 / 3.27
Partner & Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil

Harvest Report
“El Año Mendocino,” the Mendoza Year we call it. After a small cool vintage 2017, which we call “El Año Bordelés” (the Bordeaux Year) and a small, very cool and rainy year in 2016 “El Año Bourguignon” (the Burgundian year), we finally got a vintage that is classically Mendozan: dry, cool, sunny and with moderate yields in every region from the lowest to the highest altitudes.