El Enemigo
About El Enemigo
One of Argentina's most acclaimed wineries, El Enemigo has rocketed to superstardom in just a few short vintages. El Enemigo is a joint venture of two big names in Argentine wine - Catena's winemaker Alejandro Vigil and Dr Catena's younger daughter, Adrianna. These two were drawn together by a passion for creating more approachable and mineral-driven wines that are expressive of the nuances of Mendoza’s special terroirs.
Setting out to achieve what the pioneers of Napa Valley did in the 1970s and 1980s, and creating new wines in tiny quantities with the highest possible quality and critical acclaim, they are one now among the leading wine names in the whole of Argentina. The scores they are producing for their wines have already created a cult-like following amongst knowledgeable collectors.
The Wines
Catapulted to superstardom after achieving a perfect 100 points from The Wine Advocate with the Gran Enemigo Gualtallary 2013, the Gran Enemigo range leads the way for their exceptional portfolio. Consisting of four stunning Cabernet Franc-based wines, these wines strive to express the high-altitude Mendoza terroirs of Agrelo, Chacayes, El Cepillo and Gualtallary. Every cuvée represents a genuinely rare Andean gem, with no more than 900 cases of each produced.
Alongside the focus on Cabernet Franc wines, the duo also endeavour to rejuvenate the workhorse Argentinian varietal, Bonarda, and produce a range of exquisite single-vineyard wines.
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Mendoza | 1 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. GST
SG$675.21 |
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James Suckling (97)Superb focus and intensity with blueberry, blackberry, wet earth and dried spice. Some bark. Full body, very fine tannins and beauty. Vivid and bright. Drink in 2018 but outstanding quality now. A a blend of 85% cab franc with 15% malbec. |
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Mendoza | 1 | 97 (DC) |
Inc. GST
SG$1,014.20 |
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Decanter (97)The cool 2016 vintage allowed for sophisticated wines with precise freshness in Luján de Cuyo. This blend of 85% Cabernet Franc and 15% Malbec by Alejandroi Vigil is heady and compelling, with an abundance of layers. A truly stunning wine. |
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Mendoza | 3 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. GST
SG$502.97 |
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James Suckling (96)A full-bodied red with aromas of black cherry, blueberry, chocolate orange and hazelnut. Velvety, finely-integrated tannins support a deep core of spiced dark fruit. Wonderfully concentrated and flavorful, yet balanced and fresh. Drink or hold. |
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Mendoza | 1 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. GST
SG$608.72 |
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James Suckling (97)A spicy cabernet franc full of red fruit, iodine, wet stones, white pepper and oyster shells. Full-bodied but nicely austere on the palate with chalky tannins and a linear finish. Tannins are super tight yet tense and dissolved. Mineral-driven finish. 50% whole bunch. Drink or hold. |
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Mendoza | 39 | 95 (WA) |
Inc. GST
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Wine Advocate (95)The 2020 Gran Enemigo Agrelo Single Vineyard is a blend of 85% Cabernet Franc and 15% Malbec from a 40-year-old vineyard by the Catena winery. It fermented in concrete and some barrels and matured in large old foudres for 15 months. It has 13.5% alcohol and good freshness. At Agrelo, you always get spices, clove and herbs, berries and flowers, and the élevage provides some toasted and smoky undertones. This is tasty and with very fine tannins. It's mostly Cabernet Franc, mentioned on the label, but it also contains 15% Malbec that matured in two ancient oak foudres for 15 months. 7,200 bottles were filled July 2021. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
SG$566.00 |
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James Suckling (97)Superb focus and intensity with blueberry, blackberry, wet earth and dried spice. Some bark. Full body, very fine tannins and beauty. Vivid and bright. Drink in 2018 but outstanding quality now. A a blend of 85% cab franc with 15% malbec. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 97 (DC) |
In Bond
SG$877.00 |
|||||
Decanter (97)The cool 2016 vintage allowed for sophisticated wines with precise freshness in Luján de Cuyo. This blend of 85% Cabernet Franc and 15% Malbec by Alejandroi Vigil is heady and compelling, with an abundance of layers. A truly stunning wine. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 3 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
SG$406.00 |
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James Suckling (96)A full-bodied red with aromas of black cherry, blueberry, chocolate orange and hazelnut. Velvety, finely-integrated tannins support a deep core of spiced dark fruit. Wonderfully concentrated and flavorful, yet balanced and fresh. Drink or hold. |
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|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
SG$505.00 |
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James Suckling (97)A spicy cabernet franc full of red fruit, iodine, wet stones, white pepper and oyster shells. Full-bodied but nicely austere on the palate with chalky tannins and a linear finish. Tannins are super tight yet tense and dissolved. Mineral-driven finish. 50% whole bunch. Drink or hold. |
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|
Mendoza | 39 | 95 (WA) |
In Bond
|
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Wine Advocate (95)The 2020 Gran Enemigo Agrelo Single Vineyard is a blend of 85% Cabernet Franc and 15% Malbec from a 40-year-old vineyard by the Catena winery. It fermented in concrete and some barrels and matured in large old foudres for 15 months. It has 13.5% alcohol and good freshness. At Agrelo, you always get spices, clove and herbs, berries and flowers, and the élevage provides some toasted and smoky undertones. This is tasty and with very fine tannins. It's mostly Cabernet Franc, mentioned on the label, but it also contains 15% Malbec that matured in two ancient oak foudres for 15 months. 7,200 bottles were filled July 2021. |
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