El Enemigo Syrah Viognier 2022
Refined and expressive, offering an aromatic profile of violet, blackberry and hints of pepper, clove and spice. The silky and balanced palate has polished tannins and a medium-bodied structure, balancing power and finesse with a peppery finish.
The Syrah grapes come from a high-altitude vineyard in Gualtallary, Tupungato, situated at 1,470 metres above sea level, planted in calcareous soils. The Viognier is also grown in Gualtallary, Tupungato, at an elevation of 1,400 metres, where the variety thrives in deep calcareous, and rocky soils. These distinct terroirs contribute to the unique character of each variety. 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.
Co-fermentation of the Syrah and Viognier varieties offers a unique Argentine interpretation of Côte Rôtie. Vinification took place with indigenous, wild yeasts and lasted for a period of 15 days, with temperatures peaking at 28°C. Extended maceration on the skins for 20 days allowed for optimal colour and flavour extraction. The wine was matured for 16 months in a combination of foudres (50%), stainless steel tanks (25%), and oak barrels (25%), adding further complexity and delicate nuance to the wine.
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Alcoholic strength | 13.5% |
| Awards | 95 Pts, Silver, IWC, 2024; 91 Pts, Descorchados, 2025 |
| Country | Argentina |
| Region | Valle de Uco |
| Subregion | Gualtallary |
| Grapes | Syrah 92%, Viognier 8% |
| Residual sugar (g/l) | 1.8 |
| Body | C |
| 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.
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