EEGEECCF21
New product
Aromatic and complex, with notes of violet, cassis, plum and dark cherry accented by mint chocolate and black pepper. Subtle hints of herbs and graphite add depth. The vibrant and precise palate offers crunchy red fruit, silky tannins, and racy acidity with mineral highlights on the finish.
Gran Enemigo El Cepillo reflects the distinctive character of one of the southernmost vineyards in the Uco Valley. The fruit comes from the Pampa El Cepillo, San Carlos vineyard which is located at 1,300 metres. It is one of four Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc wines crafted by winemaker Alejandro Vigil. Each wine features an identical blend, 85% Cabernet Franc and 15% Malbec, follows the same vinification process and ageing time, highlighting their shared DNA. The distinction arises from the unique soil types and altitudes of their origins, showcasing the variety's transparency and its ability to reflect the nuances of each terroir. For El Cepillo, the focus is on the singular character of Pampa El Cepillo's colluvial soils with marine limestone layers beneath. 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 harvested over five separate passes spanning 1.5 months. Fermentation took place in concrete vats at an average temperature of 26°C, following five days of cold maceration. 30% was vinified as whole bunch. The total maceration lasted an average of 23 days before being aged for 16 months in concrete tanks.
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Alcoholic strength | 13.5% |
| Awards | 99 Pts, James Suckling, 2025; 95 Pts, Tim Atkin MW, 2025; 96 Pts, Vinous, 2025; 98 Pts, Descorchados, 2025 |
| Country | Argentina |
| Region | Mendoza |
| Subregion | Lujan de Cuyo |
| Grapes | Cabernet Franc 85%, Malbec 15% |
| Residual sugar (g/l) | 1.8 |
| Body | D |
| 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.