2019 Bodegas Aleanna, Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard - Mendoza - 1 Doppelmagnum/Jeroboam (3 l)

ON OFFER
Iconic wine from limited production especially in this format receiving a perfect 100 point score from both Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and James Suckling.

PROFESSIONAL RATINGS
100/100 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The incredibly subtle, elegant and austere 2019 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard reminds me of a great vintage of Lafleur, my favorite Bordeaux, as this is one of the finest vintages for this single-vineyard blend of Cabernet Franc with some 15% Malbec. It develops very slowly in the glass and shows layers and layers of aromas but all in a very subtle way. It also reminds me of the fabulous 2013 that I rated 100 points in 2018, and there has not been such a perfect vintage since then. It has great balance and a silky mouthfeel, with refined, elegant tannins and a long, dry finish with a chalky and salty sensation and no room for sweetness; it's more about herbs, flowers and rocks than anything else. They produced 9,000 bottles of this beauty. It was bottled in July 2020. (LG) (11/2022)

100/100 James Suckling
A complex, restrained and deliciously austere cabernet franc with damp earth, oyster shells, blueberries, thyme, rosemary and mushrooms. Super serious and chalky on the palate with lots of dissolved, minerally-textured tannins. Very long and uncompromising! An incredible cabernet franc from Gualtallary by Alejandro Vigil. Extremely pure, mineral and seductive. A fabulous cabernet franc that grows on the palate with remarkable tension and texture. I’d want to drink a bottle now even it can hold extremely well. (2/2023)

97/100 Vinous
The 2019 Cabernet Franc Gran Enemigo Gualtallary also incorporates 15% Malbec sourced from the same area within the Uco Valley. It underwent a 15-month aging process in used foudres. Displays a deep purple color. The nose tantalizes with captivating notes of ashes and blackberry, accompanied by hints of mountain herbs, mint and cassis. The palate offers a dry and chalky texture, with fine-grained tannins and a juicy flow that leads to a nimble and enduringly flavorful complex finish. This terroir-driven wine was created in a cold and dry vintage, reflecting a stylish approach to the grape and a distinct expression of Gualtallary. (JH) (6/2023)

Best wines of 2023 - James Suckling
El Enemigo Cabernet Franc Gualtallary Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard 2019, is very affordable but difficult to find due to a small production run. It could have been our Wine of the Year, but the production was slightly less than 5,000 bottles and it’s already very difficult to find. So, it’s No. 2"

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Sales are not limited to specifc countries or regions. However, the purchaser is responsible for checking if receiving wine is allowed when shipping from the Netherlands. Shipment will be made in a polystyrene wine packaging including full insurance. The wine will be removed from the OWC prior to shipment to make sure both the wine and OWC will be transported safely. Deviations from this can be requested but are for the risk of the receiver.

WINE DESCRIPTION
The grapes are sourced from high altitude vineyards in Tupungato which sit at up to 1470 metres above sea level. Following the harvest the grapes are fermented in French oak barriques and then matured for 18 months in special 3000 litre barrels which Alejandro has modelled on those used in Mendoza a century ago. To recreate these historic barrels he imported Alsatian barrels and then carefully reassembled them in Mendoza.

The result is a very special Bordeaux style blend with a distinctive Argentinian twist. The nose is remarkably complex with hints of bitter cocoa, licorice and rich dark berries while the first sip displays a generous full body, smooth tannins and very long finish with hints of sweet spice from the oak ageing. A great wine to drink now with hearty red meat dishes or to add to the cellar for another decade or so.

EL ENEMIGO
Founded by a winemaker and a historian, El Enemigo is an exciting venture which seeks to break the rules and create new expressions of the world’s top grape varieties with a characteristic Argentinian soul. In 2009 Catena Zapata’s chief winemaker Alejandro Vigil and historian Adrianna Catena, who is also Nicolas Catena’s youngest daughter, decided to make a wine together that would celebrate their shared love for literature, philosophy and tradition.