El Enemigo Chenin Blanc 2023
A precise Chenin Blanc with lovely clarity and aromas of sea breezes, cooked lemon, and juniper with mineral and nutty tones. Rich and textured, with layers of ripe pear and apple complemented by a whisper of lanolin and a tangy finish.
Located in Los Árboles, Tunuyán, at a striking altitude of 1,000 metres, this vineyard benefits from clay soils, which offer good water retention properties. While not certified, the vineyard adheres to organic practices, prioritising biodiversity, water conservation, and integrated farming methods. Natural herb and pest control further underscores their commitment to sustainable viticulture, complemented by the winery's sustainability certification from Bodegas of Argentina. High trellises and drip irrigation maximise sun exposure and water efficiency, while manual harvesting ensures careful selection of only the finest grapes.
The grapes were fermented in concrete vats with indigenous yeasts at a maximum temperature of 18°C. The vinification process lasted for 40 days. The wine was unoaked to preserve the purity of fruit and was bottled unfiltered to capture the essence of the variety and the terroir.
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Alcoholic strength | 12.5% |
| Awards | 93 Pts, Descorchados, 2025 |
| Country | Argentina |
| Region | Valle de Uco |
| Subregion | Tunuyán |
| Grapes | Chenin Blanc 100% |
| Residual sugar (g/l) | 1.8 |
| Dry/Sweet value | 1 |
| Contains sulphites | Yes |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Milk | No |
| Eggs | No |
| Organic | No |
| Biodynamic | No |
| Closure | Diam |
El Enemigo was founded in 2010 by Adrianna Catena, daughter of Nicolás Catena Zapata, along with Alejandro Vigil, the award-winning head winemaker of Bodega Catena Zapata. The El Enemigo vineyards are located in the Piedemonte al Sur region of Mendoza, south of Luján de Cuyo, at high altitudes between 930 and 1,470 metres. El Enemigo was born from a desire to carve their own path and a shared obsession with terroir. They thrive in the thrill of experimentation, and delight in the new and unconventional. Their philosophy is to create wines that reflect the freshness and character of each individual vineyard: a pure expression of their exceptional terroir. The name "El Enemigo", which translates as ‘the enemy’, is a nod to the internal battles and challenges they faced in their pursuit of excellence in winemaking, and to the idea of challenging the status quo. Their captivating wines are highly sought after.
