“Of all the Single Vineyard wines, this one comes from the warmest zone, Agrelo. The grapes grow on all alluvial soils where the cabernet sauvignon has historically yielded very good results. But the cabernet franc does too. This vineyard (La Pirámide, owned by Catena), which was planted in 1986, also produces the 15% malbec that rounds out the blend. Here the strength of the red fruits is unusually red and vibrant—which is a bit off for a year as warm as 2014 was. You’ll need to cellar it for a couple years and then drink it with mushroom risotto.”

“More marked by the year, the 2014 Gran Enemigo Agrelo Single Vineyard is more fruit-driven and ripe, more in line with what I saw in 2012 and 2011. The spicy character is there, but it's subtler and there's more black fruit here.”

“The 2014 Gran Enemigo Agrelo Single Vineyard has the original massale selection used to plant the Gualtallary vineyard, but the soil here is rich in clay, there's no limestone, and is 500 feet lower in altitude. It's Cabernet Franc, but always blended with some 15% Malbec from the same vineyard. The nose is ripe, more fruit-driven, with aromas of plums and cherries and nicely integrated oak. In general, the oak is a lot less noticeable in these 2012s, when only well-seasoned barrels were used and the wines spent one year in cement after the élevage in oak. There are plenty of spices and a smoky touch. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and acidity, which is not common to find in Agrelo, almost citric with some orange rind-like sensations.”

“One of four Cabernet Franc/Malbec blends under the El Enemigo label, this Agrelo bottling sees 20% whole bunches and is the broadest and most New World style wine of the quartet. Leafy, ripe and textured, with more tannin than you think at first.”

“Ripe berry aromas are touched up with cola and rootbeer notes that make this even nicer. A muscular, deeply structured palate is home to herbal plum and berry flavors along with notes of coffee and dark spices. Tobacco and herbal notes take over on a complex finish. Drink this Cabernet Franc (with 15% Malbec) through 2024.”

“Bright ruby-red. Redcurrant, loam, licorice and spice on the nose, lifted by a hint of rose petal. A floral, juicy Cabernet Franc with terrific energy and lift; more red fruits than black, with complicating earth tones. Finishes broad and dry, with a hint of bitter chocolate and the dustiest tannins of these single-vineyard Cabernet Franc bottlings. I'd wait a year or two before pulling the cork.”