El Enemigo Malbec 2021
- Vinous
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Robert
Parker -
James
Suckling -
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Spectator
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Rich and concentrated, it offers aromas of black fruit, cherry and dark berry fruit on the nose followed in the palate by a full-bodied wine with flavors of spice, blackberry, black cherry, pepper and a slight floral character. The finish is elegant and lengthy.
Blend: 90% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
This 2021 Malbec contains 10% Cabernet Franc sourced from the slopes of Gualtallary in the Uco Valley. After fermenting in new oak barrels, it opens with delicate notes of violet and fresh plum, accented by subtle herbal hints. Compact yet expressive, its juicy palate reveals layers of plum and licorice, with a balanced and appealing flavor profile. A true hallmark of this wine is its unburdened texture, carrying pristine floral nuances through an enduring, graceful finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The very young 2021 Malbec follows the path of restraint, balance, harmony and elegance that was seen in the 2019, which I tasted next to it. This is a neatly crafted Malbec with varietal typicity, spiced up with some Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, always with very careful oaking to respect the typicity of the variety and the place. It's mineral and stony, finishing dry and long.
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James Suckling
Exuberant red and blue fruit with a touch of stones and subtle spices. Juicy and firm on the palate, with a medium to full body and fresh, fine-grained tannins. Quite a long finish full of fruit.
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Wine Spectator
Expressive notes of plumeria and orange peel make for an alluring entry to this version, which boasts a polished berry mélange core, with a subtle toasty cocoa bean thread underneath, plus suave, mineral-tinged tannins.
Other Vintages
2020- Vinous
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The wines of El Enemigo are a tribute to those internal battles that make us who we are. Winemaker Alejandro Vigil and historian Adrianna Catena reach back in time to capture the era when European immigrants first settled in Argentina. These settlers sought to make wines as good as or finer than those of their old homelands. By 1936, Malbec and Petit Verdot were Argentina’s most widely planted varietals, and their blend was considered the ultimate in refinement and aging potential.
Enemigo thrives in the thrill of experimentation and delights in the new and unconventional. It was born from a desire to carve a unique path and a shared obsession with terroir—each bottle an unfettered song to the wild, free-spirited soul. The wines reflect the freshness and character of each individual vineyard: a pure expression of terroir.
Celebrated for its bold flavors and supple texture, Malbec has enjoyed runaway success in Argentina since the late 20th century. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, where it historically contributed color and tannin to blends. A French agronomist, who saw great potential for the variety in Mendoza’s hot, high-altitude landscape, brought Malbec to Argentina in 1868. Somm Secret—If you’re trying to please a crowd, Malbec is generally a safe bet with its combination of dense fruit and soft tannins.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.