El Enemigo : As Bravas Malbec "El Cepillo" 2018

Characteristics and tasting tips for As Bravas Malbec "El Cepillo" 2018 by El Enemigo

Tasting

Appearance
This wine displays a very dark, deep, almost opaque colour, with an intense hue reminiscent of black fruit and hints of violet.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet is particularly vibrant and complex. It opens with intense aromas of ripe black fruit, such as blackberry, before revealing mineral notes of graphite, ash and charcoal. Subtle touches of dried spices, liquorice, fresh herbs and violet add depth to this constantly evolving nose.

Palate
On the palate, this wine combines remarkable density with great elegance. The texture is broad, velvety and persistent, supported by exceptionally fine tannins. The overall impression is airy, with no heaviness whatsoever, stretching into an exceptionally long and nimble finish.

Food and wine pairings
This cuvée will pair beautifully with roast or grilled red meats, such as rib of beef or leg of lamb. It will also make a superb match for slow-cooked dishes, delicately prepared game and aged hard cheeses.

Serving and cellaring
As Bravas Malbec "El Cepillo" 2018 has remarkable ageing potential. Stored in optimal conditions, it can be enjoyed until around 2043.

A great Malbec from the Valle de Uco with timeless elegance

The estate
Founded in 2009 by Alejandro Vigil and Adrianna Catena, Bodega Aleanna, creator of the El Enemigo brand, is located in the Mendoza region. This estate of around 16 hectares stands out for its meticulous agronomic approach and its strong ties to culture and the arts. The current owners craft high-altitude wines, showcasing limestone terroirs and high planting densities. Today, the estate enjoys international acclaim for its single-parcel cuvées, which express the identity of their terroir with great purity.

The vineyard
The grapes come from a small 1.7-hectare plot located in the Cordón El Cepillo area of San Carlos, in the heart of the Valle de Uco. Perched at an altitude of 1,300 metres, this vineyard is characterised by a high density of 8,000 vines per hectare. The Malbec vines are ungrafted, planted on their own roots in colluvial soil concealing limestone rocks of marine origin in its depths.

The vintage
2018 is considered a classic vintage for the region. Weather conditions were dry, cool and particularly sunny. This climatic stability resulted in moderate yields across all the high-altitude areas, providing an ideal environment for optimal ripening of the berries.

Vinification and ageing
Under the direction of winemaker Alejandro Vigil, the vinification of As Bravas Malbec "El Cepillo" 2018 begins with fermentation in concrete vats at an average temperature of 26°C. The harvest is vatted with 100% whole bunches. This is followed by a very long 80-day infusion, carried out with minimal intervention and movement for gentle extraction. The wine is then aged for 64 months in old foudres, before resting for a further year in bottle.

Grape varieties
This wine is a blend of 95% Malbec and 5% Semillon.