An absolute showstopper from Gualtallary, this 2020 Cabernet Franc (with a splash of Malbec) is intense yet graceful—earning a near-perfect 99 points from The Wine Advocate. It’s got it all: sour cherry, wild herbs, pink peppercorn, and just the right touch of spice. Vibrant and savory with fine, crunchy tannins, this wine balances power with finesse. Still young, but already stunning.

The Wine Advocate | RP 99
Published: Nov 30, 2022
Drink: 2023-2035

The 2020 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard is nothing but phenomenal. It's very fresh and balanced and, for a warm year like 2020, doesn't show any heat or excess; it's subtle and has an ethereal character within the powerful and exuberant character from Gualtallary. It fermented in concrete with indigenous yeasts and some full clusters, sometimes up to 70% of the volume. It's intense and powerful, but something makes if feel light on its feet and with great inner power. This is still young and should develop nicely in bottle and for a long time. 9,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2021 after maturing in large oak foudres for 15 months.

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. 

Jamessuckling.com | JS 96
Published: Feb 4, 2024

Ink and licorice with blackberry and black olive aromas. Medium- to full-bodied with round, fine tannins that are crunchy and refined. It has a juicy undertone and a savory finish. Just a hint of cedar and caramel at the end. Drinkable now but better in a year or two.

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 18.5
Published: Jan 27, 2024
Drink: 2024-2036

From Gualtallary Monasterio. Includes 15% Malbec. Fermentation in barrel (French oak, third use), average temperature: 23 °C/73 °F. Cold maceration for 4 days. Average total maceration 26 days. 40% whole bunch. Aged in 100-year-old foudre for 15 months.
One of the most seductive wines in the region. Sour-cherry notes are mingled with sweet pink peppercorn, wild thyme and meadow flowers in this expressive and fragrant Cabernet Franc. Alejandro Vigil is a great believer in blending, and the 15% Malbec adds a riper black-fruit softness to the finish, which is wrapped in sweet spices. This is still very much in its youth today and should reveal greater nuance over time. 

Enemigowines.com

Vineyard
Gualtallary, Tupungato. Altitude: 4,822 ft (1470 m) elevation. High density vineyard (10.000 plants per hectare).

Type of Soil
Cabernet Franc: Calcareous, rocky soil.
Malbec: Calcareous, deep-calcareous, rocky soil.

Vinification
Fermentation in barrel, average temperature: 23°C / 73.4°F. Cold maceration for 4 days. Average maceration 26 days. 40% whole bunch. French oak barrels and and 3rd use. Five different harvest times (1.5 months between the first and the last).

Aging
15 months in 100-year-old foudre.

Alcohol: 13.5% vol
Acidity / pH: 7.0 / 3.05
Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil