El Enemigo, Bonarda, Los Paraísos, Single Vineyard
Description
Grapy black fruit aromas show side notes of cardamom and wild herbs in front of a flush and jammy palate that's chunky and full. Medicinal black plum and blackberry flavours are ripe and lush.
- Vintage: 2015
- Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
- Taste guide: Full bodied, bold yet structured - rich dark fruit with a spicy underlining - strongly oaked.
- 75cl - Traditional Cork Opening - 13.5%
The old Bonarda vines trained on pergolas and growing in the sandy soils of El Mirador, in Rivadavia at 650 metres, were about to be pulled up when Alejandro Vigil found them. He was able to rescue 5 hectares, with which he now produces El Enemigo Bonarda.
The Bonarda variety, which has slowly been gaining importance in Argentina, is still alive in the memories of many families in its native Italy. It generally offers complex but accessible wines, with pleasant tannicity and seductive aromas, that have stopped only forming part of red wine blends and now occupy second place among red Argentinian grapes, just behind Malbec.
El Enemigo Bonarda appears a violet colour with blueish glints. Its nose is rich, with an unusual complexity, revealing intense aromas that bring to mind Picota cherries and woodland berries. Dark chocolate and a feint liquor hint accompany an aura of freshness from aromatic herbs and eucalyptus. On the palate, a sweet entry takes us to a centre of ripe fruit adorned with liquorice, coffee and vanilla, its mouthfeel is sublimely elegant and combines sandy suggestions from the vineyard with highly polished tannins from the oak. Its finish is long, fresh and softly seductive, enhanced by violets and exhibiting the customary elegance of El Enemigo wines.
Its hard enough to find a Bonarda wine let alone one from this winery so please treat yourself if you like them bold! £14.25 each.