El Enemigo, El Barranco, Single Vineyard Bonarda 2017
Description
- Vintage: 2017
- Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
- Taste guide: Full bodied and oaked. Black currant, dark plum and berry aromas are lightly floral and hint at herbs, giving this cuvee an elegant nose. A juicy, lifted palate is pulpy but finessed. Plummy, berry and currant flavours continue with hints of red liquorice candy accented by herbs on the finish. Drink through to 2025.
- 75cl - Traditional Cork Opening - 14%
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.
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.
Its hard enough to find a Bonarda wine let alone one from this winery so please treat yourself if you like them bold and complex! £14.25 each.
93 James Suckling:
"The depth and intensity of fruit here is impressive for a Bonarda, showing dried berries, wet earth and black leather. Full body and light, creamy tannins. Beautiful, juicy fruit and subtle, complex character. Hints of nutmeg and slate to the black fruit. Drink now."
Review Date: 1st August 2020