El Enemigo

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc bottle image
Cabernet Franc bottle image

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El Enemigo

Cabernet Franc

Adrianna Catena grew up drinking Old-World Bordeaux with her father.  She will never forget the first time dad received a shipment of wine from France and opened a bottle of Cheval Blanc for her. 

Alejandro Vigil served Angelica Zapata Cabernet Franc at his wedding.  It's as if both Alejandro and Adrianna were born with a taste for the peppery aromas, grainy tannins and freshness of this variety.

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Tasting Notes

This Cabernet Franc is ruby red in color with soft violet tones. The nose has intense aromas and concentrated notes of cassis, ripe currants, and sweet spices including black pepper and cloves. His tenure provides integrated oak notes of cedar and vanilla.  Fresh impact and excellent structure on the palate, reminiscent of ripe red fruits with hints of eucalyptus and tagged black pepper. This wine has an excellent balance and elegance with a well-structured, persistent finish.

Food Pairing

Pair this Cabernet Franc with grilled game meats.

Adrianna Catena grew up drinking Old-World Bordeaux with her father.  She will never forget the first time dad received a shipment of wine from France and opened a bottle of Cheval Blanc for her. 

Alejandro Vigil served Angelica Zapata Cabernet Franc at his wedding.  It's as if both Alejandro and Adrianna were born with a taste for the peppery aromas, grainy tannins and freshness of this variety.

All Products →

Tasting Notes

This Cabernet Franc is ruby red in color with soft violet tones. The nose has intense aromas and concentrated notes of cassis, ripe currants, and sweet spices including black pepper and cloves. His tenure provides integrated oak notes of cedar and vanilla.  Fresh impact and excellent structure on the palate, reminiscent of ripe red fruits with hints of eucalyptus and tagged black pepper. This wine has an excellent balance and elegance with a well-structured, persistent finish.

Food Pairing

Pair this Cabernet Franc with grilled game meats.

Brand Materials

Tech Sheet Download Bottle Shot Download Acclaim Linkout
Sustainably Farmed
Organic
94
POINTS
“Blended with 6% Malbec - Alejandro Vigil rarely makes pure varietal wines - this old foudre-aged Cabernet Franc is grassy, sappy and refreshing, with notes of green tea, cassis and aromatic spices. The 60% whole bunches add another layer of complexity.”
Tim Atkin, MW
93
POINTS
“Aromas of dark fruit with fresh herbs and tile. Perfumed. Medium-to-full body, juicy fruit and a flavorful finish.”
James Suckling
93
POINTS
“The 2015 El Enemigo Cabernet Franc was produced with fruit from Gualtallary, from a specific 8.8-hectare plot of the Adrianna Vineyard. It fermented in two tries with a portion of full clusters. It has a beautiful nose with plenty of spices and herbs and some Pinot-like red fruit. The palate is harmonious and balanced, with very fine tannins and a velvety texture.”
Wine Advocate
90+
“Bright medium red. Aromas and flavors of red berries, licorice, menthol and flowers are initially a bit muted by an oak element. Classically dry and intense on the palate, showing good calcaire lift to its red fruit and floral flavors. This wine will still expand with more time in bottle but will it gain in sweetness? Today I marginally prefer it to the Malbec for its light touch and lingering perfume and lift. Tannins are dusty and fine-grained.”
Vinous
90
POINTS
“The deep liqueur-like flavors in this cabernet franc come from the Adrianna Vineyard, planted about 1,400 meters up in the heights of Gualtallary. As usual, the acidity is loaded with energy and determines the structure of this vine. For lamb chops.”
Descorchados
90
POINTS
“Pure and refreshing.”
Wine Spectator
90
POINTS
Wine Spectator
90
POINTS
“Earthy, slightly scratchy aromas of reedy plum and berry fruits set up a drawing palate with raw, scratchy tannins. This Cab Franc shows a woody side even though it was aged in old vats, but it has chocolate and berry fruit flavors to back that up. Residual tannins make for a slightly abrasive finish. Drink through 2020.”
Wine Enthusiast
“Begins with a serious, but very attractive aroma of red cherry and dark berry fruit, herbs (but no green pepper), cedar, leather and spice. Tasting reveals a deep, dark and absolutely delicious wine especially after a couple hours of air. In the mouth you’ll find similar flavors to the nose plus chocolate, a little earthiness, touches of tobacco and vanilla and a burst of black pepper notes that lead into the long, dry, chewy finish.”
Reverse Wine Snob

Vineyard & Production Info

Vineyard name:
Gualtallary, Tupungato
Soil composition:
Calcareous and Rocky
Elevation:
4,620-4,851 feet

Winemaking & Aging

Maceration length:
28
Varietal composition:
93% Cabernet Franc, 7% Malbec
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
22 days
Fermentation temperature:
82 °F
Type of aging container:
Barrels
Type of oak:
French
Length of aging before bottling:
16 months
Age of Aging Container:
20% New

Analytical Data

pH level:
3.6
Acidity:
6.5 g/L
Alcohol:
13.5 %
See Brand →
Alejandro Vigil
Adrianna
Aleanna Winery
Alejandro Vigil
Chacayes
Concrete Egg with Soil Map
Enemigo Vineyard
Alejandro Vigil
Adrianna
Aleanna Winery
Alejandro Vigil
Chacayes
Concrete Egg with Soil Map
Enemigo Vineyard